LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--20th Century Fox and Little Free Libraries today announced a nationwide partnership to promote the Studio’s new motion picture THE BOOK THIEF.
This is the first time Little Free Libraries, with over 12,000 locations (and counting), has partnered with a major motion picture company.
Starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and newcomer Sophie Nélisse, THE BOOK THIEF opens exclusive engagements today (Friday) before arriving in theaters everywhere later this month.
THE BOOK THIEF/Little Free Libraries alliance is a match made in heaven – for movie and book lovers. Both celebrate the transformative power of words and reading. THE BOOK THIEF tells the inspiring story of a spirited and courageous young girl named Liesel, for whom reading becomes a means of escape – and even joy – from the tumultuous events in Nazi Germany enveloping her and everyone she knows and loves.
The film is based upon the novel by Markus Zusak, which was published in his native Australia in 2005 and throughout the rest of the world in 2006. The book has sold eight million copies worldwide, held a place on The New York Times bestseller list for almost seven years and has been translated into over 30 languages. Additionally, it has won over a dozen literary awards, held the number-one position at Amazon.com, and appeared on numerous best-of-the-year lists.
Little Free Libraries are “take a book, return a book” gathering places, where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share.
Commented Rick Brooks, Little Free Libraries’ co-founder and program director: “Little Free Libraries have become like neighborhood versions of the office water cooler. As they peek in the door to see what books they can find, people talk and share the more than just the standard news. They recommend all kinds of things--restaurants, books, musicians... and movies.
“So Little Free Library stewards have been especially glad to have something as beloved as The Book Thief as a part of the treasures their neighbors can find on their daily walks,” he continued. “When 20th Century Fox come to us to promote the film by promoting the book throughout the country, we jumped at the chance. It's a tremendously innovative and thoughtful way to build interest for reading as well as seeing a terrific movie, and we’ve already seen an uptick in interest in the Little Free Libraries since starting the promotion.”
The promotion includes two custom-made, THE BOOK THIEF-themed Little Libraries, one each in New York City and Los Angeles, complete with dioramas of key scenes from the film as well as a monitor screening movie footage. In addition, Little Free Libraries has gifted its stewards two copies of the novel, and is hosting a contest encouraging visitors to a Little Free Library to Tweet or Instagram a picture in front of the Library, using the hashtag #TheBookThief.
About 20th Century Fox Film
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, 20th Century Fox Film produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of 20th Century Fox Film: 20th Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions, 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios.
