‘Wicked: For Good,’ ‘Nuremberg’ & ‘Train Dreams’ Directors to Participate in Book To Screen Program at 2026 Palm Springs Film Festival

The Palm Springs Film Festival's Book to Screen program for 2026 will showcase the creative process behind literary adaptations. Participants include directors and writers from "Wicked: For Good," "Nuremberg," and "Train Dreams," offering unique insights into the art of translating books to film.

The Palm Springs Film Festival will once again present its Book to Screen initiative for the 2026 edition, in partnership with Deadline. The festival has revealed the complete lineup, emphasizing filmmakers and writers who adapt literary works into films. This program is designed to showcase the relationship between literature and cinema while providing audiences the opportunity to engage directly with the creators behind these adaptations.

Participants in this year's Book to Screen program include James Vanderbilt, who serves as both director and screenwriter of Nuremberg; the team of Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, responsible for adapting Train Dreams; and Winnie Holzman, Tony Award-nominated playwright and screenwriter of Wicked and the upcoming Universal Pictures film Wicked: For Good. All sessions will be moderated by Matt Grobar of Deadline, and the program will run from January 5 to January 9, 2026.

Program Schedule

Monday, January 5 9:30 a.m.

Wicked: For Good
Screenwriter: Winnie Holzman
Presented by Universal Pictures, Wicked: For Good concludes the story of the witches of Oz. The film explores the estranged relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, as they confront the outcomes of their past actions. Their friendship becomes crucial to the fate of themselves and the wider world of Oz, emphasizing honesty, empathy, and the possibility of transformative change.

Tuesday, January 6 9:30 a.m.

Nuremberg
Director and Screenwriter: James Vanderbilt
Nuremberg, produced by Sony Pictures Classics, details the Allied pursuit of justice following World War II. Led by chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson, the team works to hold Nazi leaders accountable for the Holocaust. The film also examines a psychological confrontation between a U.S. Army psychiatrist and former Reichsmarschall Hermann Gring, providing a deep look into postwar legal and moral challenges.

Friday, January 9 7:30 p.m.

Train Dreams
Director/Screenwriter: Clint Bentley
Screenwriter: Greg Kwedar
Adapted from Denis Johnsons novella, Train Dreams follows the life of Robert Grainier in early 20th century America. Orphaned at a young age, Robert grows up in the expansive forests of the Pacific Northwest, contributing to the countrys growing railroad industry. The narrative explores his experiences with love, family, and labor, illustrating both the beauty and hardships of life and the meaningful impact of his work on the world around him.

The Book to Screen program at the 2026 Palm Springs Film Festival offers a comprehensive look at the process of translating literature into film. By focusing on both creative methods and the original narratives, the program aims to illuminate how authors and filmmakers collaborate to bring literary works to the cinematic medium, providing audiences with insight into storytelling from page to screen.

Sources:

• Deadline
• Variety
• The Hollywood Reporter
• ‘Wicked: For Good,’ ‘Nuremberg’ & ‘Train Dreams’ Filmmakers Set For Book To Screen Program At 2026 Palm Springs Film Festival