Source: Production I.G

On August 15th, they told us we had lost the war. At that time, we did not really understand. Then one day, everything changed. Many soldiers, wearing uniforms we had never seen before, arrived on the island. That was the day I met Tanya. Production I.G announces GIOVANNI`S ISLAND (???????, Giovanni no Shima) a new hand-drawn animated feature film directed by Mamoru Oshii`s longtime collaborator, Mizuho Nishikubo, and penned by Shigemichi Sugita (FROM THE NORTHERN LANDS) and Yoshiki Sakurai (GHOST IN THE SHELL: S.A.C.). The film is presented by the Japan Association of Music Enterprises (JAME) to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and it is planned to be theatrically released in Japan early spring 2014 by Warner Entertainment Japan. Production I.G is handling international sales worldwide. Story In the aftermath of the most devastating conflict mankind had ever experienced, the tiny island of Shikotan became part of the Sakhalin Oblast... and on the unhealed border in this remote corner of the world, friendship among children from two different countries timidly blossomed, striving to overcome language barriers and the waves of history. Inspired by true events. Shigemichi Sugita Born in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, in 1943. A multi-awarded director, scriptwriter and film producer, he is probably best known for directing the hugely successful Hokkaido-set TV drama series, FROM THE NORTHERN LANDS (?????, Kita no Kuni kara), that started in 1981 and ran for 21 years, spanning one season and several specials, with audience share peaking 38.4%. He directed a number of other popular dramas -- including A BOY CALLED H (??H, Shonen H, 2013) from the award-winning novel by Kappa Senoo -- and three feature films, namely ORACION (??, Yushun, 1988) from Teru Miyamoto`s novel, LAST SONG (??????, Rasuto Songu, 1994), and Japan Academy Prize-winner THE LAST RONIN (??????, Saigo no Chushingura, 2010). He is currently chairman of the All Nippon Producers Association and President & CEO of Nihon Eiga Satellite Broadcasting Corporation. Mizuho Nishikubo Born in 1953. A longtime and most trusted collaborator of Mamoru Oshii, Nishikubo has worked as animation director under his real name of Toshihiko Nishikubo in most Oshii`s animated films, including GHOST IN THE SHELL (GHOST IN THE SHELL/?????, Goosuto In Za Sheru/Kookaku Kidootai, 1995), Palme d`Or-nominee GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE (????? GHOST IN THE SHELL????, 2004) and Golden Lion-nominee THE SKY CRAWLERS (???????, Sukai Kurora, 2008). It is said that Oshii`s movies wouldn`t look the same without his contribution. His credits as director include, VIDEO GIRL AI (???? VIDEO GIRL AI, Den`ei Shojo, 1992, OVA), OTOGI ZOSHI (????, 2004, TV series) and ATAGOAL: CAT`S MAGIC FOREST (?????????, Atagoal wa Neko no Mori, 2006, movie). He also directed the music clip CHAINS & RINGS (Tsepi i kol`tsa, 2003) for Russian rock star Linda, and the internationally praised NEXT A-Class commercial film for Mercedes-Benz (600,000 views on YouTube in 3 days). His latest feature film, MUSASHI: THE DREAM OF THE LAST SAMURAI (????????????, 2009), written by Mamoru Oshii, screened in Locarno, Sitges, Warsaw, Stockholm and Vladivostok. Credits Original Story: Shigemichi Sugita Screenplay: Shigemichi Sugita, Yoshiki Sakurai Director: Mizuho Nishikubo Animation: Production I.G Presented by: Japan Association of Music Enterprises

About Production I.G

Started as the joint collaboration of visionary production manager Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and popular character designer Takayuki Goto, Production I.G was established on December 15, 1987. The company has produced a number of acclaimed feature films, OVA (original video animation), TV shows, and videogames. For their storytelling and quality of animation, GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995, directed by Mamoru Oshii, No. 1 in US Billboard Top Video Sales Chart 1996), JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE (1999, directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, Jury`s Special Prize at Fantasporto 1999), and BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE (2000, directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo), have earned critical accolades in Japan and all around the world. INNOCENCE, directed by Mamoru Oshii in 2004, became the first Japanese animation feature ever to compete for the Palme d`Or at the Festival de Cannes. In 2008, Mamoru Oshii`s animated feature film, THE SKY CRAWLERS, was nominated for the Golden Lion at the 65th Venice Film Festival and won 3 awards at Sitges in the same year. The studio`s first 3DCG animation feature film, OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR (2009), directed by Shinsuke Sato was Animation of the Year at the 33rd Japan Academy Prizes.