Two African Crime Thrillers Vie for Film Deals at Venice Festival

Two African novels will be in the spotlight at the Venice International Film Festival’s Book Adaptation Rights Market.

“Till Death” by Busayo Matuluko and “Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai” by Onyeka Nwelue are among more than 100 titles to be presented to international publishing firms at the 9th edition of the event, running Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.

The selections align with this year’s market focus on crime and thriller genres, and thirty-three international publishing houses and agencies will participate in the event.

Represented by British Literacy Agency, Andrew Nurnberg Associates, “Til Death” hits the market on January 16, 2025, and tells the story of a true crime-obsessed lady, Lara Oyinlola, who heads to Lagos for her favorite cousin’s wedding only to discover that the bride has been receiving anonymous threats instructing her to abort the wedding.

The other Novel; “Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai,” is represented by Hungarian firm Katalin Mund Literacy Agency. It narrates the journey of a Nollywood actor who relocates to Mumbai in pursuit of Bollywood stardom but instead encounters a world of violence, drugs, human trafficking, and murder. The adaptation rights for this gripping tale have already been sold in India.

The Book Adaptation Rights Market, organized by the Venice Production Bridge, aims to unite the publishing community and the film industry and the event is scheduled to hold at the Excelsior Hotel on the Lido di Venezia, under the banner of the upcoming 81st Venice International Film Festival.

For detailed information on the 2024 Book Adaptation Rights Market, view the brochure here.