Book & Film Series 2026–2027

A tried-and-true formula at Focus for years: the Book & Film Series. For readers who watch and watchers who read. Starting in October, a new series begins, consisting of seven compelling book-to-film adaptations with introductions by our programmers. What makes a book easy—or, conversely, very difficult—to adapt for the screen? What choices did the filmmakers make? And can the book and the film actually be compared?

Since we strive to keep our program as current as possible, we can’t say in advance which books will be featured, although we certainly try to plan as far ahead as possible. If the current selection isn’t interesting enough, we’ll feature a memorable classic book-to-film adaptation.

NEW: Post-screening discussions

Since we regularly receive requests to discuss the film afterward, this coming season we’ll offer the opportunity to engage in a discussion immediately following the film—but only on Mondays after the matinee and evening screenings. These discussions will take place in the theater and will be moderated by Kim van der Werff. Of course, participation is not required.

There are two evening and two matinee series, on Mondays and Tuesdays.

You can choose from the following four sessions:

Monday 3:30 p.m. | Theater 1 | Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, Feb. 15, Mar. 8, Apr. 12
Monday 7:00 p.m. | Room 1 | Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, Feb. 15, Mar. 8, Apr. 12
Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. | Room 1 | Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 16, Mar. 9, Apr. 13
Tuesday 7:00 p.m. | Room 1 | Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 16, Mar. 9, Apr. 13

Room 1 is on the ground floor.

Format of the sessions:

• Doors open 20 minutes before the start. Have your pass scanned at the box office (even if you have a Cineville Pass).
• Introduction by programmer Kim van der Werff, lasting approximately 25–30 minutes.
• Every participant in the Book & Film series has a pass that is not tied to a specific person (except for participants with a Cineville or F pass). Lending your pass to someone else is permitted if you are unable to attend (except for Cineville/F passes), but a pass may only be used once per month for the Book & Film Series.
• It is not permitted to make up a missed film during a regular screening.
  New participants will receive their pass at the Focus box office during the first session. In the case of renewal, the pass from the previous season will become valid again for the new season upon payment; so be sure to keep your old pass.
• About a week before the first session, you’ll receive a reader via email containing some background articles. These may sometimes be in English.
• Book titles will be announced via email, on this page, and during the meetings.
• On Book & Film Nights, our catering service serves a tasty and affordable meal that you can reserve through the website by mentioning “Book & Film.”

Participation Fee

• Participation in the entire (seven-part) series costs €107.50.
• F-Pass holders and Rozet Card holders pay €100.
• The price for students is €75.
• Cinevillers pay a one-time fee of €28 (and have their pass scanned at each session).

Registration Process

• Are you already a participant in the Book & Film Series? Click here (starting June 18) to RENEW. You’ll be renewing the series you participated in last year. Please note: enter the number of your Book & Film Pass, not your F-Pass (if you have one).
• If you’d like to switch series, please renew the series you were a member of last season anyway. Then send an email to boekenfilm@focusarnhem.nl letting us know which series you’d like to switch to.
• Are you a new participant? Click HERE to sign up (available starting July 15, 2026). At the top of the form, select one of these pass types: Book and Film / Book and Film F-Pass or Rozet Card / Book and Film Cineville Pass.
• Fill in all the requested information. When renewing, you’ll be asked for your ZIP code and Book & Film Pass. If you’re unable to complete the renewal, it’s possible that your ZIP code isn’t in our system. In that case, please send an email to boekenfilm@focusarnhem.nl with your address information.
• The renewal or new registration is complete once the IDEAL payment has been successfully processed. You’ll receive a confirmation via email.
• As a library member, you do not need to provide your library card number: on your first visit (when you pick up your Book & Film membership card), simply show your library card to the cashier.
• Would you like to register someone else as well? If so, please follow the registration procedure again.
• Do you always attend the same series with friends? Make sure you all register or renew your membership at (roughly) the same time.
• The date of the IDEAL payment is the registration date.

Meet the presenter

Kim van der Werff studied Film and Television Studies, is certified to teach history, and is an avid reader (with a soft spot for English literature). Until the move to Audrey Hepburnplein, she headed the marketing department, after which she was delighted to transition to the programming and education department. From 2014 to 2019, she led introductions and post-screening discussions on film adaptations of books at Filmhuis Zevenaar.