News: GKIDS Acquires North American Rights to Studio Ghibli's "Earwig and the Witch"

GKIDS, the producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced that it has acquired the North American distribution rights for legendary animation house Studio Ghibli's latest feature EARWIG AND THE WITCH. The film is directed by Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea) and produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki, with planning on the feature from his father, Academy Award®-winner Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro).  Based on the children's novel "Earwig and the Witch" by Diana Wynne Jones ("Howl's Moving Castle"), the film marks Studio Ghibli's first entirely 3D CG animated feature.  An official selection for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, the film is slated to air on NHK in Japan Winter 2020. GKIDS will release the film theatrically in North America in early 2021.

Director Goro Miyazaki has previously commented about the film, "Nowadays, in our country, there are many adults and few children. It must be tough for these children, so few of them having to deal with so many adults. It was while I was thinking about this that I got to know Earwig. And I realized, 'That's it!' How does Earwig deal with the annoying adults? Please watch Earwig and The Witch to find out. She may be cheeky, but I sincerely hope that our adorable Earwig will encourage children and cheer up adults."

SYNOPSIS
Growing up in an orphanage, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life will take a new turn when a strange family takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch.

News: CHILDREN OF THE SEA is Available on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD September 1st

From STUDIO4°C (Tekkonkinkreet, MFKZ, Mind Game) and director Ayumu Watanabe comes Children of the Sea, a beautiful adaptation of the prize-winning manga. Featuring a score from legendary composer and long-time Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro), this critically-acclaimed film will be available digitally, as a Blu-ray™ and DVD combo pack, and on DVD September 1, 2020 from GKIDS and Shout! Factory.  Additionally, Children of the Sea is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release in select cinemas via Fathom Events on August 11 and 12--assuming that theaters are open then--in subtitled and English dubbed versions, with more details to be revealed soon.

All editions of the release will include a number of bonus features, including an interview with director Ayumu Watanabe and CGI director Kenichiro Akimoto, an interview with composer Joe Hisaishi, a behind the scenes featurette, animatic sequences, and more! The Blu-ray™ and DVD Combo pack will also include the exclusive "Turep - Looking for Children of the Sea", a feature-length pseudo-documentary from the creators of Children of the Sea that explores the legends that inspired the film and engages with its larger themes. Framed as a search for a lost brother with an affinity for the sea, this journey takes a young woman through old videotapes, conversations with marine and anthropological experts, and eventually, a small island nation far from Japan.

News: Weathering With You Coming To Digital August 4 and Blu-Ray / DVD September 15!

GKids announced yesterday on twitter the release plans for the digital and physical releases of Weathering With You, the fantastic anime from the studio that brought you Your Name.  Weathering With You is one of my favorite movies of the year, and one I saw in theaters MANY times before they shut down.  Now, starting on August 4, you can watch it as many times as you want from the comfort of your home.

The tweet stated:

☀️ WEATHERING WITH YOU from Makoto Shinkai (#YourName) is coming to Digital on AUG 4 and Blu-ray, DVD & Steelbook on SEPT 15!

Bonus features include director interviews, featurettes, trailers and more!

✨ #WeatheringWithYou Collector's Edition details coming soon.

News: GKids Releases "Marona's Fantastic Tale" Direct to Home Rental on June 12, 2020

Director: Anca Damian
Writer: Anghel Damian, Anca Damian
Run Time: 92 minutes
Trailer: https://youtu.be/jSnn7PEtQCc

GKIDS has announced the North American virtual theatrical release of Marona's Fantastic Tale, from director Anca Damian. Starting June 12, 2020, the film, which played in competition at the Annecy International Film Festival, and won the Animation is Film Special Jury Prize last year, will be made available at MaronaMovie.com through virtual cinema partner links. The virtual release includes additional interview content with director Anca Damian.

Initial virtual cinema partners include the Laemmle Theaters in Los Angeles and The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City, with additional partner theaters and organizations to be added. A percentage of the net proceeds of every 'ticket' sold will go to listed partner theaters and related organizations. The complete listing of affiliate theater and organization links and how to purchase a virtual 'ticket' will be available at MaronaMovie.com

"While GKIDS and our exhibition partners' original intention was for audiences to enjoy Marona's Fantastic Tale as an in-theater experience, we are elated to bring this beautiful, touching film to home viewers through virtual cinema," said Chance Huskey, GKIDS' Director of Distribution. "During this time when many of us are socially isolated, we are hopeful that this film will serve as a reminder to cherish even the smallest moments with our friends and companions."

News: GKids Acquires North American Rights To Anime "Lupin the 3rd: The First"

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced that it has acquired the North American distribution rights for the animated feature LUPIN THE 3RD: THE FIRST, a new animated feature  from director/screenwriter Takashi Yamazaki (STAND BY ME DORAEMON, DRAGON QUEST: YOUR STORY). The "LUPIN THE 3RD" franchise, from original creator Monkey Punch, began in 1967 and has spanned a variety of manga, TV, game, theme park ride, and musical adaptations, including The Castle of Cagliostro (1979), the feature film debut from the acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki. GKIDS will release LUPIN THE 3RD: THE FIRST theatrically in 2020 in both Japanese and an all-new English language dub. 

The iconic "gentleman thief" Lupin III returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning adventure, as Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Bresson Diary, before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich. The gang undertakes trap-filled tombs, aerial escapades and daring prison escapes with the trademark wit and visual finesse that have made LUPIN THE 3RD one of the most storied animation franchises in the world, in a thrilling new caper that is sure to delight fans old and new.