The forthcoming 11th edition of Cinelibri International Book-to-Film Festival (Cinelibri IFF) is to be held in the fall of 2025 between October 10th and November 2nd. As the venerators of this delightful and incomparable event already know, it is a showcase of the best book-to-screen adaptations completed during the last year or two.
This year Cinelibri welcomes inventive, distinctive, topical, reflective and/or sharply critical of today’s global reality book-to-screen adaptations in 3 main categories: full-length feature films, short films, documentaries dedicated to famous creators. The session for all film categories is already open for submissions from all over the world on the platform mentioned below (FilmFreeway). Animated productions which interpret works of literature artfully e.g. in an authentic, impactful and memorable way, might be submitted too – they will be part of a separate module.
Two more sessions are to be opened: for Media Submissions and for the Second edition of the International Film Forum BoB (Based-on-Books). They will be open on June 1st 2025.
WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
Proven to be the world’s first international book-to-film festival, Cinelibri is an extraordinary and prestigious forum, inspired by the fruitful and sometimes absolutely ingenious interaction of arts – cinema and literature in particular. It is held in Sofia and other district centers in Bulgaria every fall, and shows the best examples of high-quality European/Non-European film productions and co-productions whose scripts are based on literary works – contemporary, modern or classic. Each of the 3 competitions has reputable International Jury, represented by undisputed professionals in the respective field.
Cinelibri IFF traditionally encompasses a number of side events and educational modules, e.g. lectures, panel discussions with visiting experts, masterclasses and workshops, open film and-literary premieres, exhibitions, meetings with producers, screenwriters, directors, composers, actors etc., various informal events featuring the festival guests and Jury representatives. The meetings with established European and world creators and talented young professionals in the field of cinema and all side events with dignified speakers aim at promoting Europe’s cultural heritage and contemporary world cinema and literature.
In 2024, the first International Film Forum BOB (Based-on-Books), organized by Cinelibri IFF, took place in Sofia. Generator of precious ideas and captivating projects for screen adaptations, BOB gathered more than 50 professionals from Italy, France, Albania, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Netherlands, USA, Argentina, Lebanon, Great Britain. The second edition of BOB is to be held in October 2025 – it is expected to bring together directors, producers, writers, screenwriters and actors, sales and literary agents, festival selectors, giving them opportunities to establish future partnerships and collaborations. The forum is the first of its kind in the world and the positive feedback about it is an unequivocal sign that Sofia might turn into a world center of literary adaptations.
Except for strong official selection of competing films /full-length feature films, short films and documentaries/ Cinelibri has incredibly rich program of movies out of competition organized in several sections. All films are based on books or inspired by literary works and life of prominent authors.
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING THE WINNERS
Basic general criteria for determining the winners in all competitive sections:
►an original, visionary director’s approach to the interpretation of the respective literary work (in the documentary section: to real life, personality and creative work of respective writer)
►masterfully selected actors/actresses and well-built characters with the expressive means of cinema;
►impactful cinematography and skillful transmission of messages of the literary work in visual language.
RULES & TERMS
All genres are eligible. The films should be connected in some way with the world of literature. You could submit a film that is a book adaptation, true life story/biopic about a writer, or original interpretation of a work of literature, regardless of the genre.
By submitting your film you agree that:
Cinelibri can use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster) for promotional purpose.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
You cannot withdraw your submission after the official selection announcement of each round.
Dates & Deadlines
Opening Date: March 4, 2025
Early bird Deadline: May 11, 2025
Regular Deadline: June 29, 2025
Late Deadline: August 24, 2025
Notification Date: September 14, 2025
Event Date: October 10 – November 2, 2025
Fees
Early bird Deadline: Standard: €15
Regular Deadline: Standard: €25
Late Deadline: Standard: €35
Submissions, deadlines and fees (for all film categories) are announced here: https://filmfreeway.com/CinelibriBooktoFilmFestival