A beautiful relationship

Created by Clare Breuvart and Hans-Stephan Kreidal the festival aims to bring together authors, actors, and film and TV directors and producers, as well as cinema and literature fans. The latter are encouraged to attend film premieres, debates, workshops, book signings, quizzes and the festival’s closing awards ceremony.

The twin venues used for the cine and literature events are the Grimaldi Forum for films, and the Sporting d’Hiver for all other events.

The Forum's Honorary President is Jean Van Hamme, creator of Largo Winch, XIII and Thorgal. The famous author will give a master class on Friday 14th March at 4:30pm, followed by a book signing. The evening event is the world premiere of the new Dream Works film, Dragons. This 3D movie is an adaptation of a book by Cressida Cowell, creator of the adventures of Harold Horrib' Haddock III.

Van Hamme will also chair a round table on cartoon creation and receive a life-time achievement award at the concluding ceremony. At the awards event on 13th March, seven prizes will be handed out: for best cartoon adaptation, best adaptable novel, best literary adaptation for TV and cinema, best producer of adaptations and best pitches penned by student candidates from Monaco and Menton schools.

The Honourary President this year was due to be Hollywood film star Kathy Bates. Originally scheduled to be attending the event, she disappointingly had to pull out recently because the shooting of her latest film has overrun.

Complimentary invitations are available from FNAC and the Tourist Office.

For more information go to the official website: www.forum-cinema-litterature.com

Lois Bolton