The UK’s first literary adaptation film festival arrives in Manchester

Written by jen, 6th November 2009

VERSION FESTIVAL arrives!

13-14 November, Various Venues, Manchester.

Tickets are now on sale for the UK's first adaptation-only film festival. With masterclasses from Frank Cottrell Boyce, Paul Welsh, Jane Rogers, Kate Jessop, and screenings and premieres of specially commissioned work, plus stacks of opportunities to get involved in next year's projects. More info at: www.versionfestival.co.uk

The aim of the Version is to nurture an appreciation of narrative among developing filmmakers and to reassert the importance of the writer in the filmmaking process. Young directors and animators have been encouraged to engage directly with literary texts at the start of their careers – an opportunity not normally open to them because of publishing and authorial copyright. As a publisher, Comma (the organisers of the festival) have been able to bypass this obstacle by negotiating author permissions as part of the commissioning process, not only among its own authors but – through Literature Northwest, a network of independent publishers – among authors from across the region.

In addition to individual adaptation challenges, Comma has funded and produced four short dramas specially for the festival, based on short stories by Christopher Priest, Martyn Bedford, M Y Alam and Guy Ware. These have been produced under the auspices of award winning producer Caleb Shaffer and a crew assembled from Northern Film School graduates and Futureworks Media students, with support from production company Lions Eyes and the Granada Foundation.

Speakers at the festival include Frank Cottrell Boyce, executive producer Paul Welsh, Amir Jamall, Jane Rogers, Kate Jessop, Andrew Haigh (director of Film Four's £50K adaptation of Comma's short 'Five Miles Out'), Carl Hunter (Grow Your Own), Alison Surtees and Mick Knowles (Made Up North Films).

More information on www.versionfestival.co.uk

To book tickets to Cornerhouse events click here.

Workshops and networking events are free (email ra.page@commapress.co.uk to book)

International Showcase, Fri 13 Nov, Cervantes, tickets on door. Please note new time: 8pm