Festival Event: Helen Tompson. The Book Was Better-What Adaptations Can Teach Us About Storytelling

Why do some adaptations become beloved classics while others divide audiences? Why do filmmakers sometimes follow a book closely, while at other times they make dramatic changes to characters, structure or even the ending?From bestselling novels and literary classics to television dramas and award-winning films, adaptation is one of the most powerful forces in contemporary storytelling.

Yet the creative decisions behind those transformations are often misunderstood.In this illustrated talk, screenwriter Helen Tompson explores what happens when stories move from page to screen, examining why adaptations change, what gets lost or gained in the process, and how a different way of watching can reveal new layers within familiar stories.Drawing on examples from film and television, Helen will explore the art of adaptation and invite audiences to look beyond questions of fidelity to consider what adaptations can tell us about storytelling, interpretation and why certain stories continue to resonate across generations.Helen Tompson is a screenwriter, script reader, educator and mentor whose work spans film, television and adaptation.