Books at Berlinale was initiated by the Berlinale in co-operation with the Frankfurt Book Fair in order to give representatives of both industries an opportunity to make and cultivate contacts.

 

Books at Berlinale is the title for a series of activities bringing the publishing and film "worlds" closer together during the Berlinale. These activities include the presence of the Frankfurt Book Fair with an umbrella stand at the European Film Market, special programmes taking place during the Berlinale Co-Production Market and the EFM, and the half-day programme "Breakfast & Books".

"Breakfast & Books", which has taken place at the Berlinale Co-Production Market since 2006, is the first literary rights' market at an A film festival. Representatives from publishing houses, literary agents and producers meet here for a pitching session followed by a breakfast together.

 

This way, producers interested in purchasing a book's film rights can talk to the film rights' holders directly after the pitch, or use the relaxed, informal atmosphere to refresh and make new contacts with the publishing world.

The ten selected books 2010 included bestsellers, award-winners and new releases, giving producers have a truly exclusive opportunity to secure film rights. Exemplary for the material that was presented at this year’s “Breakfast & Books” is a work that was not yet published at the time but was already sure to be a bestseller and that has, moreover, great potential for the screen: Martin Suter’s new novel Der Koch (The Cook).

 

The following “Books at Berlinale” projects were presented at "Breakfast & Books" 2010 (listed in alphabetical order by the company presenting them):