By Elif Shafak – October 2026 – Rubicon Pictures
Rubicon Pictures Ltd announces a film project is in motion for Elif Shafak’s bestselling novel, The Island of Missing Trees. Sheryl Crown, Founder and Producer, has optioned Elif Shafak’s brilliant earlier novel, which is a timely, beautiful love story set across a divide on the Island of Cyprus, reminding us of our essential common humanity. In an increasingly war-torn world this is an international story for now. The project is currently in early development as a feature film with the screenplay being written by Mario Theodorou. Executive Producers are Eyup Can Saglik and Christos Michaels.
Elif Shafak has said, “Adapting ‘The Island of Missing Trees’ into a film could amplify the novel’s themes of connection, identity, and the universal struggle with loss in a way that resonates visually and emotionally with a broader audience. I strongly believe in the power of cinema to transcend language and cultural barriers, allowing the rich tapestry of my narrative – including its vibrant characters and the profound symbolism of the fig tree – to come alive on screen. A film adaptation would not only highlight the beauty of the natural world and its relationship with humanity but also provide a dynamic platform for exploring complex themes like migration, belonging, and healing, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of the shared human experience in a fragmented world. Through the medium of film, I believe, my story could inspire empathy and dialogue, reaching hearts and minds far beyond the pages of a book.”
Elif is an award-winning British Turkish novelist, whose work has been translated into fifty-eight languages. Her writing has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, the Women’s Prize for Fiction – the RSL Ondaatje Prize, the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, and Prix Femina Étranger, amongst others, and she was nominated for ‘Author of the Year’ at the British Book Awards. Elif Shafak was appointed President of the Royal Society of Literature in 2025.
Elif Shafak’s new novel – One Brief Moment in Eternity – launches in the UK on Wednesday October 15, which is wonderful news for all.
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