GKIDS and Fathom Events Partner to Bring Miyazaki Biopic to Big Screens Nationwide on December 13 and 18 Source: GKIDS Inc., Fathom Events press release Official Site: NeverEndingMan.com Special Thanks to Annalee Paulo, Chrissie Bock, Todd Nickels, Kabeer Malhotra, Tahajah Samuels, Katherine Schwappach and Erik Stein #MiyazakiDoc GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of multiple Academy Award-nominated animated features, and Fathom Events are proud to announce the U.S. debut of NEVER-ENDING MAN: HAYAO MIYAZAKI (?????? ???, Owaranai Hito Miyazaki Hayao, 2016). This documentary follows the formerly-retired film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki as he experiments for the first time with CGI. Miyazaki is a Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter, animator, author, and manga artist. In 1985 he co-founded Studio Ghibli and went on to direct highly influential and acclaimed animated films such as MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (???????, Tonari no Totoro, 1988), PRINCESS MONONOKE (?????, Mononoke Hime, 1997), and SPIRITED AWAY (????????, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, 2001) -- which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003. Miyazaki’s critical and commercial success continued through his final run of films including HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (???????, Hauru no Ugoku Shiro, 2004), PONYO (???????, Gake no Ue no Ponyo, 2008), and THE WIND RISES (????, Kaze Tachinu, 2013). After the release of THE WIND RISES, at the age of 72, he announced his retirement from directing, however his endlessly inventive mind has turned toward new creative avenues. The documentary explores the life and career of Miyazaki as he returns to work to create his short film BORO THE CATERPILLAR (?????, Kemushi no Boro, 2018) using CGI. Tickets for NEVER-ENDING MAN: HAYAO MIYAZAKI are available now at FathomEvents.com and NeverEndingMan.com or at participating box offices. NEVER-ENDING MAN: HAYAO MIYAZAKI comes to more than 500 U.S. cinemas Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. (local time), subtitled in English. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). In 2013, Academy Award-winning film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki suddenly announced his retirement at the age of 72. But he can’t shake his burning desire to create. After an encounter with young CGI animators, Miyazaki embarks on a new project to utilize CGI for the first time ever. But the artist, who has been adamant about hand-drawn animation, confronts many challenges that threaten to cancel the film. Can an old master who thinks he’s past his prime shine once again? This program goes behind the scenes over two years as Miyazaki overcomes struggles to create his short film BORO THE CATERPILLAR using CGI. “The works of Miyazaki have proven to be timeless favorites with anime fans nationwide,” Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt said. “We have seen time and time again how his works resonate with U.S. audiences, and are proud that our ongoing partnership with GKIDS will bring this engaging documentary to these devoted anime aficionados.” Earlier this year, GKIDS and Fathom Events presented the U.S. premieres of MARY AND THE WITCH’S FLOWER (????????, Meari to Majo no Hana, 2017), FIREWORKS (?????????????????????, Uchiage Hanabi, Shita Kara Miru ka? Yoko Kara Miru ka?, 2017), and THE NIGHT IS SHORT, WALK ON GIRL (?????????, Yoru wa Mijikashi Aruke yo Otome, 2017), as well as 20th anniversary retrospective screenings of the cult-classic PERFECT BLUE (?????????, Paafekuto Buruu, 1997) to big screens nationwide.

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About Fathom Events

Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema with participating affiliate theaters in all 100 of the top Designated Market Areas, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events such as live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions like the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live, sporting events like Copa America Centenario, concerts with artists like Michael Bublé, Rush and Mötley Crüe, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics film series and inspirational events such as To Joey With Love. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 896 locations and 1,383 screens in 181 DMAs. For more information, visit fathomevents.com.

About GKIDS

GKIDS is a producer and distributor of award-winning feature animation for both adult and family audiences. Since 2010, the company has scored an astounding nine Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations -- including THE SECRET OF KELLS, A CAT IN PARIS, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA and BOY AND THE WORLD. GKIDS also handles North American theatrical distribution for Oscar winner Hayao Miyazaki`s famed Studio Ghibli library of films, one of the world`s most coveted animation collections with titles SPIRITED AWAY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, PRINCESS MONONOKE and others. GKIDS founder and CEO Eric Beckman is also co-founder of New York International Children’s Film Festival, an Oscar-qualifying event and North America’s largest film festival for children and teens.

About Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and is one of the most successful and well-respected animation studios in the world. Cultivating a creative force of talented directors, animators, and storytellers under the revered brilliance of Miyazaki and Takahata, Studio Ghibli’s films have been praised for their originality, dazzling animation, and epic storytelling. The films have become a beloved part of Japanese popular culture, and have garnered worldwide acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Hayao Miyazaki’s SPIRITED AWAY won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature of 2002 and in 2005 Miyazaki was named one of “the most influential people” by Time Magazine.