In honor of its 15th Anniversary, 'Spirited Away,' along with an exclusive Ghibli short film, hits the big screen December 4 and 5.
Enter an enchanted world of witches, dragons and spirits in Spirited Away, director Hayao Miyazaki’s critically-acclaimed story that became a worldwide phenomenon, cementing Studio Ghibli’s legacy as one of the foremost animation studios in the world.
GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award®-nominated animated features, is partnering with Fathom Events to bring this special event to U.S. movie theaters for two days only on Sunday, December 4 at 12:00 p.m. (dubbed in English) and Monday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. (English language subtitles) local time both dates. Following the full-length feature, you will see an exclusive short film, Ghiblies: Episode 2, never-before-released in North America. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 400 movie theaters.
“Fifteen years after its release, Spirited Away remains one of the most explosively original and enchanting animated films ever made,” Eric Beckman, GKIDS President said. “Beyond the immense critical praise and awards accolades it has received, the power of the film has resulted in legions of devoted fans who rarely get the opportunity to see it in a theatrical setting. GKIDS is thrilled to celebrate Hayao Miyazaki’s cinematic masterpiece with this special 15th anniversary screening event in hundreds of theaters nationwide, so fans who are eager to share it with friends, and those who want to see it for the very first time, can experience it on the big screen as it was originally intended to be seen.”
Spirited Away follows 10-year-old Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi) on another seemingly-boring trip with her parents. However, when they stop at a mysterious village, her parents undergo a puzzling transformation, and she is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits, shape-shifting dragons and a witch who never wants to see her leave. Chihiro must call on the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world.
Spirited Away is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest animated films of all times, earning a Best Animated Feature Academy Award for Hayao Miyazaki and unanimous praise from critics and audiences alike. Roger Ebert called it “Enchanting and delightful! The best animated film of recent years.” Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times said, “Prepare to be astonished… unlike any you’ve seen before!” Entertainment Weekly called it, “A marvel…a triumph… a masterpiece! As resplendent as any film in the great Disney repertory!” while the New York Post said, “Hayao Miyazaki’s breathtakingly beautiful and poetic Spirited Away is such a landmark in animation that labeling it a masterpiece almost seems inadequate.”
Ghiblies: Episode 2 is a unique 25-minute short film from Studio Ghibli, featuring several comedic vignettes and caricatures of Studio Ghibli staff as they go about their day. Utilizing new animation techniques and software that would then be deployed on the production of My Neighbors the Yamadas, Ghiblies: Episode 2 has never been released in North America and will make its theatrical premiere at this special screening event.
“We are excited to bring Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away to cinemas for its 15th Anniversary,” Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said. “This Academy Award-winning film still resonates as a true animation masterpiece and will be a joy to experience on the big screen.”
Hot Topic will be the official retail partner of the Spirited Away: The 15th Anniversary Event. Fans can shop exclusive Spirited Away and other Studio Ghibli merchandise including accessories, collectibles, gifts, and more in stores or online at HotTopic.com.
Tickets for Spirited Away: The 15th Anniversary Event can be purchased online by visiting FathomEvents.com/event/spirited-away or at participating theater box offices.
Presenting Partners:
About GKIDS
GKIDS is the acclaimed producer and distributor of award-winning feature animation for both adult and family audiences. Since 2010, the company has scored an unrivaled eight Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations – second only to Disney/Pixar – with The Secret of Kells in 2010, A Cat in Paris and Chico & Rita in 2012, Ernest & Celestine in 2014, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and Song of the Sea in 2015 and Boy and the World and When Marnie Was There in 2016. GKIDS is also in production on Cartoon Saloon’s The Breadwinner, which is slated to release stateside in 2017. GKIDS also handles North American theatrical distribution for the 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.com
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.
About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema, 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 that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions such as the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live’s Hamlet, sporting events like FS1 Presents USA v Mexico, concerts with Roger Waters and One Direction, the TCM Presents classic film series and faith-based events such as The Drop Box and Four Blood Moons. 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 887 locations and 1,354 screens in 181 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit fathomevents.com.
Retail Partner:
About Hot Topic
Hot Topic, headquartered in City of Industry, CA, was the first retailer to make alternative apparel and accessories available at malls across the country. Today, Hot Topic is the fandom haven for guys and girls obsessed with music and all things pop culture. Founded in 1989, Hot Topic operates 694 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and an online store at hottopic.com. Find Hot Topic on Twitter (twitter.com/hottopic), Facebook (facebook.com/hottopic), YouTube (youtube.com/hottopic), Instagram (instagram.com/hottopic) and Snapchat (hottopic).
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