Source: GKIDS Inc., Fathom Events press release Official Site: ghiblifest.com
Image courtesy of GKIDS and Fathom Events. © Akiyuki Nosaka / Shinchosha, 1988Throughout 2018, GKIDS and Fathom Events continue their collaboration to bring a new line-up of treasured animated features to U.S. cinemas. STUDIO GHIBLI FEST 2018 gives fans an opportunity to see nine of Studio Ghibli’s celebrated animated masterpieces on cinema screens nationwide, along with some very special surprises. Up next from STUDIO GHIBLI FEST 2018, celebrating its 20th Anniversary, is GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (?????, Hotaru no Haka, 1988), Directed by Academy Award-nominated Isao Takahata, the film has been universally hailed as an artistic and emotional tour de force. As the Empire of the Sun crumbles upon itself and a rain of firebombs falls upon Japan, the final death march of a nation is echoed in millions of smaller tragedies. This is the story of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, two children forced to fend for themselves in the aftermath of fires that swept entire cities from the face of the earth. Their struggle is a tribute to the human spirit. Presented in its digitally remastered and restored format, GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES is one of the rare films that truly deserves to be called a masterpiece. Tickets for GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES can be purchased online by visiting fathomevents.com or ghiblifest.com and at participating theater box offices. Moviegoers throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy these events in over 700 select movie theaters. A complete list of theater locations will be available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). Sunday, Sunday, August 12 at 12:55 p.m. local time (English-language dubbed) Monday, August 13 at 7:00 p.m. local time (English-language subtitled) Wednesday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m. local time (English-language dubbed)
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.
For more information on STUDIO GHIBLI FEST 2018, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: