New CAMEO Award celebrates books which inspire film and television

London Book & Screen Week and the UK Publishers Association (PA) are launching an award for books that inspire films, television, games and theatre.

The Creativity across Media: Excellence & Originality Awards (CAMEOS) will coincide with London Book & Screen Week in March and awarded in four categories: book to film, book to game, book to stage and book to TV.

London Book & Screen Week is part of and produced by London Book Fair, which said the creative industries are now worth £84.1bn to the UK economy.

“Books and the worlds they inspire sit at the heart of the creative industries which are a driving force of the British economy," said director Jacks Thomas. "We are delighted to launch the inaugural Creativity Across Media: Excellence and Originality Awards (CAMEOS) on the eve of our third London Book & Screen Week to coincide again with The London Book Fair (LBF). These awards, with the book firmly at the heart, will recognise the range and depth of talent across the creative sector, identifying the inspiring individuals who play their part in creating some of the most successful film, games, TV and stage adaptations; telling stories, thrilling and transforming lives here and across the globe.”

Stephen Lotinga, c.e.o. of the Publishers Association, added: “Books have inspired Oscar-winning films, and have also been the inspiration for critically acclaimed TV shows from the Night Manager to Game of Thrones as well as theatre hits and the virtual worlds explored by gamers. These awards aim to celebrate the integral role books play in the creative eco-system, and the range of talented people which help create them.”

Entries are open to any individual or organisation in the UK and judges will look for achievements such as press coverage, critical acclaim and industry prize nominations. Submissions are now open via London Book and Screen Week website until 28th February. Shortlists will be announced in early March and the winner 13th March.

London Book and Screen Week will take place this year 13th-19th March, with author David Nicholls acting as the ambassador and events that include a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of J K Rowling’s Harry Potter and Jane Austen’s bicentenary.

Last year London Book Fair and the PA also launched an inclusivity in publishing award. The prize recognises companies that have demonstrated commitment to improving inclusivity across the publishing ecosystem.