Shearer's 'inherently cinematic' debut optioned for film

Eleanor Shearer’s debut novel River Sing Me Home, published by Headline, has been optioned for film by AL Films/BBC Film. 

The film rights were acquired from Rosie Gurtovoy at PFD. The novel "tells the story of a mother’s desperate search to find her stolen children, set in the Caribbean during the aftermath of slavery". Shearer has been commissioned to write the screenplay for the feature film. 

Shearer said: “It is wonderful to be working with AL Films and BBC Film on this adaptation. I am so touched by their passion for the novel and inspired by their creative vision for bringing Rachel’s story to screen, and cannot wait to take on the challenge of translating this piece of Caribbean history into a new medium with the screenplay."

Joanna Anderson from AL Films commented: “From the moment we were swept away by its rich narrative world we knew River Sing Me Home was inherently cinematic. By exploring a central but lesser-known part of history, through the story of one woman’s quest in an exciting and ultimately uplifting tale, Eleanor has succeeded in giving life to long forgotten voices. We are so looking forward to working with Eleanor and bringing this world and these wonderful characters to an even wider audience.”