10 Years of Book Adaptation Rights Market
In 2025 the Venice Production Bridge is celebrating the 10th annivesary of the Book Adaptation Rights Market - a decade of connecting publishers and literary agents to producers and bringing the written word to life on the screen.
As we are celebrating the 10th edition of the Book Adaptation Rights Market (BARM), and this special anniversary gives us the opportunity to reflect on the incredible success of this project.
When we decided to launch the BARM, several initiatives already existed in other markets, but all of them were very restrictive and only allowed publishers to present one or two selected titles. As a producer, if you weren’t interested in the few books on offer, there was little reason to attend— leaving publishing houses frustrated and with limited opportunities. That’s why we decided to take a different approach and invite publishers to present their entire catalogues. Our main goal was to connect them with a wide range of producers through individual meetings, building relationships that would last not only during the BARM but throughout the entire year. This unique model, which allows publishers to showcase both new titles and backlist works, has transformed the experience for both sides.
The Venice Production Bridge is proud to have facilitated the sale of many option rights each year and to have contributed to the creation of numerous wonderful films and series. The BARM programme takes place within the context of a Festival that, over the years, has featured an increasing number of films—both in and out of competition—based on literary works. This growth clearly recognises the incredible richness of books as a source of inspiration for powerful and compelling stories. Just last year, for instance, there were no fewer than 11 such adaptations presented at the Festival.
Many other titles have been optioned or acquired and are currently in development. Over the years, we have also seen a significant increase in the number of both European and international publishers participating, fostering new collaborations between publishing houses with a strong focus on audiovisual adaptation. We are deeply grateful for this journey, and for all the kind words shared by the publishers we’ve had the honor to welcome over the past ten years.
THE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY BROCHURE CAN BE FOUND HERE
