17/07/2025 - The Bulgarian event, one of the few devoted exclusively to literary adaptations, will run from 10-28 October and will showcase Agnieszka Holland's latest effort, Franz

The submission period is now open for the upcoming 11th edition of the Cinelibri International Book-to-Film Festival, set to unspool from 10-28 October in Sofia. As one of the few events worldwide devoted exclusively to literary adaptations, Cinelibri serves as a prominent showcase for the best book-to-screen adaptations completed over the past year. The festival is currently accepting entries for three competitive sections: full-length feature films, short films, and documentaries dedicated to famous creators. This year, the team behind Cinelibri is particularly keen to spotlight inventive, distinctive and socially engaged works – adaptations that are topical and sharply critical of today’s reality. The submission process is open to films from all over the world, and full details about deadlines and fees for all film categories can be found via the festival’s official FilmFreeway page.

Cinelibri was established as the world’s first international book-to-film festival and has grown into a prestigious and highly regarded forum celebrating the intersection of cinema and literature. Held each autumn in the Bulgarian capital, the event presents a selection of outstanding European and non-European productions and co-productions based on literary works – whether contemporary, modern or classic. Each of the three competitive strands is assessed by a dedicated international jury composed of seasoned professionals with proven experience in their respective fields.

In parallel with its main programme, Cinelibri will also host a new edition of its BOB (Based-on-Books) industry strand. This unique forum, designed to explore the creative and professional trends shaping the art of literary adaptation, is scheduled to take place in central Sofia on 25 October. Through a dynamic format combining panel discussions, master classes and hands-on workshops, BOB brings together a diverse range of professionals working at the intersection of literature and film – including acclaimed writers, directors, producers, actors, journalists and festival programmers.

The 2025 edition promises to be particularly engaging, with several high-profile guests already confirmed. Among them are European Film Academy chairman and producer Mike Downey (Green Border [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]), Rudolf Biermann (The Interpreter [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Martin Šulík
film profile]) and Aton Soumache (The Little Prince [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile]), all of whom will share insights into the challenges and opportunities of adapting stories for the screen. British actor Michael McKell (Allied) will lead a practical master class focused on building screen characters from literary texts, whilst Cineuropa journalist and critic Davide Abbatescianni will run a specialised workshop designed to help filmmakers enhance their international visibility and bring their work into the spotlight.

The BOB forum will culminate in the Bulgarian premiere of Agnieszka Holland’s latest feature, Franz [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which will be presented in Sofia with producer Mike Downey and the director in tow. The Czech-German-Polish biopic about the iconic 20th-century writer Franz Kafka is set to enjoy its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival prior to its screening at Cinelibri. The Sofia event will include an exclusive Q&A with Holland and Downey following the film’s presentation.

BOB attendees will be granted access to the full programme of the forum, including McKell’s acting master class and Abbatescianni’s workshop. They will also enjoy full access to all Cinelibri screenings and parallel events, including the premiere of Franz, as well as a networking lunch and a cocktail dinner with other professionals and creatives. The experience will conclude with an invitation to Cinelibri’s prestigious awards ceremony, which includes the presentation of the Best Adaptation Prize in front of an audience of 3,500 guests, followed by a special screening and cocktail reception. Owing to the event’s intimate, hands-on format, participation is limited to ensure the highest possible level of interaction and value for all attendees.

Applicants interested in taking part in BOB must submit a short motivation letter outlining their expectations and reasons for wishing to attend. Applications should be sent to stasi@cinelibri.com between 17 July and 25 August. Selected participants will be invited to purchase a ticket priced at €87, with admission granted on a first-come, first-served basis. This process applies to all international applicants. While international participants will receive additional support and guidance from the organisers, BOB does not cover travel or accommodation costs.