Palm Springs International Film Festival in the US Announces 2024 Book to Screen Line-Up
The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), held annually in the United States, has announced its 2024 Book to Screen program, a celebrated feature that highlights the dynamic intersection of literature and film. Organized in partnership with Deadline, the program offers a platform for engaging conversations between directors, screenwriters, authors, and audiences, moderated by Deadline reporters.
This year’s line-up comprises a selection of acclaimed adaptations, beginning with Edward Berger’s "Conclave," based on Robert Harris’s novel. The film delves into the high-stakes drama surrounding the election of a new Pope and the secrets threatening the Catholic Church’s foundations.
Another highlight is the North American premiere of "Reading Lolita in Tehran," directed by Eran Riklis. The adaptation of Azar Nafisi's memoir recounts the clandestine gatherings of a professor and her female students discussing forbidden Western literature in a repressive society. The film has already received accolades, including the Audience Award and Special Jury Prize at the 2024 Rome Film Festival.
Luca Guadagnino's adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ "Queer" is also on the roster, with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes attending the session. The film, starring Daniel Craig, explores themes of love and self-discovery against the backdrop of the Mexican jungle.
Closing out the program is RaMell Ross’s "Nickel Boys," inspired by Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The powerful story of friendship and resilience in a juvenile reformatory has garnered Ross Best Director honors at the Gotham Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle.
In addition to the Book to Screen offerings, the festival has added new entries to its Special Presentations program. Titles include Gia Coppola's "The Last Showgirl," starring Pamela Anderson, and "September 5," a gripping narrative set during the 1972 Munich Olympics.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival, known for its exceptional curation of international cinema, runs annually in January. Tickets and passes are now available on the festival’s website or via its box office.
FILM LISTINGS – BOOK TO SCREEN PROGRAM:
- "Conclave" / Director: Edward Berger
- "Reading Lolita in Tehran" / Director: Eran Riklis / Author: Azar Nafisi / Screenwriter: Marjorie David
- "Queer" / Screenwriter: Justin Kuritzkes
- "Nickel Boys" / Director: RaMell Ross