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The 2025 Academy Awards have come and gone, and the anime community once more finds itself disappointed with no nominations within the field. The Oscars have had a long history of overlooking anime, but to be snubbed for another year—especially when Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s Look Back was more than eligible for the running—had anime fans everywhere shaking their heads.

Previous anime productions have snagged an Oscar in the past, however. Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away became the first anime feature to win an Academy Award in 2001, followed by The Boy and The Heron in 2024. In recent years, other Studio Ghibli productions and anime films have also contended for the entertainment industry's most coveted award, with some close to winning.

When Marnie Was There Is a Much Deeper Story Than Inside Out Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Story by Joan G. Robinson Image via Studio Ghibli

When Marnie Was There is...

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by the already seasoned directors Hayao Miyazaki, who'd earned his bones at Toei, and Isao Takahata, who'd worked alongside him. With them was producer Toshio Suzuki, who, as Animage magazine editor, helped Miyazaki introduce "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind" to Japanese manga fans. While the manga wouldn't be completed until 1994, Suzuki encouraged and assisted Miyazaki in completing the film, which led to the founding of Ghibli.

Of the 24 films Studio Ghibli has produced to date — including "Nausicaa," which may have been a Topcraft and Toei production but wouldn't exist without Ghibli's founders — few are a total failure. Even the controversial Goro Miyazaki films have gleams to them that might shine brighter if he didn't have his father's massive shadow over him. But nor can a list say that they're almost all number ones, because that's not fun to debate. These rankings are subjective but...

When we think of the most successful animated storyteller of this generation, the name of Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli automatically pops into our minds. The duo has given his viewers a number of films that we have watched and enjoyed while growing up. Though the choices will be varied, everyone will have one, with Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and The Boy and the Heron being the most popular choices.

A still from Spirited Away | Credits: Studio Ghibli

While the filmmaker has been making films since 1963, where his works have been praised for their distinct storytelling and breathtaking animation that adds a unique charm to the work. Thus, making the work so appealing to viewers around the world.

Though Miyazaki-Sensei’s works are in a league of their own, one of his works has been heavily misunderstood. After all, it gave a plot twist that no...

Studio Ghibli has dominated Japanese animated films for decades with the likes of Grave of the Fireflies, Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, Howl's Moving Castle, and Spirited Away. Just this year, Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. 2024 also marks the ten-year anniversary of Hiromasa Yonebayashi's When Marnie Was There, a coming-of-age film that was an adaptation of the 1967 novel of the same name from author Joan G. Robinson. It has the voice acting talents of Sara Takatsuki, Kasumi Arimura, Nanako Matsushima, and Susumu Terajima, with wonderful English dubbing supplied by the likes of Hailee Steinfeld, Kiernan Shipka, Catherine O'Hara, and John C. Reilly as just a few names of its big star Hollywood cast. While When Marnie Was There is not as fantastical as some other iconic anime films, it makes up for it by giving us a...

Makoto Shinkai's success stems from his distinctive style: emotional stories focused on love and the supernatural. For fans of Shinkai, watching She and Her Cat: Everything Flows can give insight into his early work and its impact on his career. Kyoto Animation's series Kanon and Clannad, as well as Mamoru Hosoda's Belle, possess storytelling and themes similar to Shinkai's, making them great choices for fans.

Over the past few years, Makoto Shinkai has easily become one of the most recognizable names in anime. All three of his most recent films —Your Name, Weathering With You, and Suzume — have become some of the most critically and financially successful anime films of all time, and that's given Shinkai a reputation for being one of the best anime directors of the past decade.

Much of Makoto Shinkai’s success can be attributed to his distinctive style. In addition to his...

Studio Ghibli’s first film after the supposed retirement of Hayao Miyazaki was a mediocre success in Japan, although it won an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.

The script is based on the homonymous novel by Joan G. Robinson and goes like this: Anna is a lonely and restless-year-old who lives in Sapporo with her adopted parents, Yoriko and her husband. After an asthma attack, the girl suffers in school, her parents decide to send her to spend the summer in the country with some relatives of Yoriko’s, named Setsu and Kiyomasa, that live in the small seaside town of Kushiro, where she will not have to endure the city’s tainted atmosphere. Both of her relatives are very kind with her, treating her as if she was their own daughter. Anna however, does not get along with the local children and ends up alone once more,...

“Give me a child until he is 7, and I will show you the man,” proposed Aristotle, to which fiercely feminist French director Céline Sciamma might add, “Give me a woman, and I will show you the free, unbroken spirit she still was at age 8.”

Sciamma, who went from being a queer cult favorite (for such bracingly free indies as “Tomboy” and “Water Lilies”) to an internationally respected auteur with 2019’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” follows up that barrier-breaking achievement with the slight but hardly insignificant “Petite Maman.” Made during fall 2020 while the pandemic still severely limited film production, this 72-minute sketch looks at the connection between an 8-year-old girl, Nelly (Joséphine Sanz), and her mother, Marion (Nina Meurisse), through a simple leap of imagination — one that necessitates a basic spoiler to meaningfully discuss, so be warned if you’d rather save that surprise for the screen.

Nelly is...

Take a look at the trailer for the Studio Ghibli's latest Oscar-nominated film 'When Marnie Was There.'

From director Hiromasa Yonebayashi (Arrietty) and based off Joan G. Robinson's novel of the same name. film tells the haunting tale of two girls who form a unique friendship amongst moonlit seascapes and a beautiful orchestral score.

The dubbed cast includes Kieran Shipka Hailee Steinfeld, Kathy Bates and John C Reilly

It has a 10 June 2016 release date for Ireland and the UK.

Another superb addition to Ghibli’s well-loved catalogue

From the legendary Academy Award-winning animation house Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Arrietty, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya), comes the haunting and touching tale When Marnie Was There. A beautiful story about ever-lasting friendship based on the beloved young adult novel of the same name by Joan G. Robinson. When Marnie Was There is another superb addition to Ghibli’s well-loved catalogue, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature this year.

When Marnie Was There will be released in UK cinemas on 10 June 2016.

Enchanting, startling; a rare story about a girl at a precarious age. Full of that exquisite Studio Ghibli sorcery that captures the beauty of the ordinary. I’m “biast” (pro): love Studio Ghibli’s films

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

I have not read the source material

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

It’s another enchanting animated film from Studio Ghibli, but this one is really special. Less overtly fantastical than some of Ghibli’s other projects — though it’s still primarily a ghost story — When Marnie Was There is grounded in an adolescent reality that we almost never see onscreen: that girls have a rough time, too, in the transition from childhood to adulthood, and in finding a path through conflicting and confusing emotions to our own true identities.

The details of her pain are doled out slowly, over the course of her story,...

A total of 16 films were submitted for consideration in the Best Animated Feature category at the 88th Oscars. After being absent from the race last year, powerhouse Pixar returns with two films, “Inside Out” and "The Good Dinosaur," of which the former is the clear front-runner. Stop-motion animation is represented by two contenders, Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson’s critical hit “Anomalisa” and the equally celebrated, though less contemplative, “Shaun the Sheep Movie” from Oscar-winning Aardman. Of the other major studios the only serious film in competition is Blue Sky’s “The Peanuts Movie.” CG animated films such as “Minions,” “Home,” “Hotel Transylvania 2,” "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water," performed well at the box-office but will likely fail to break in.

Thankfully the Academy has been very good at noticing, while not yet awarding, the work of independent artists working in the animation medium. Since 2010, when Gkids garnered its first nomination for Tomm Moore’s gorgeous “The Secret of Kells,” the New York-based distributor‘s films have been present among the five nominees every year. Last year two masterworks from their impeccable repertoire were included, Moore’s “Song of the Sea” and Isao Takahata’s “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” leaving out Warner’s “The Lego Movie,” which was considered a lock for most of the season. This year Gkids has three films vying for recognition, all of which received Annie nominations in the Best Independent Animated Feature category, but there also a few other internationally produced, independently made, traditionally animated works on the list that deserve the attention.

There is no doubt that some of the most unconventional and stunning animated films come from outside the mechanized mainstream, and we hope this year, once again, some of them make it to the Dolby Theater so that such exposure helps them reach a larger global audience.

Note: The only 2D-animated feature not included here is “Regular Show: The Movie,” which, despite having a limited release as most independent films, is an American production by a major studio

"The Boy and the Beast"

Dir.Mamoru Hosoda

Having worked in some of the most beloved anime series of all time before transitioning into greater artistic heights with singular animated features such as “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” “Summer Wars,” and “Wolf Children,” Mamoru Hosoda is one of the most important figures in Japanese animation today and his work has a loyal following around the world. “The Boy and the Beast,” his most recent film, is a martial arts saga ruled by its very own mythology, yet grounded on universal thematic elements. Following his mother’s death, Ren runs away from home and accidentally finds his way into Jutengai, an alternate reality inhabited by beasts. Reluctantly, young Ren is taken in by Kumatetsu, a bear-like brute desperate to train a disciple in order to be selected as the realm’s new leader. Despite countless arguments and numerous rough patches, a profound bond that transcends the divide between their worlds forms between the two lonely fighters. Fantastical creatures, epic battles, and amusing banter, spice up an endearing story that analyzes parent-children relationship from a highly inventive vantage point.

"Boy and the World"

Dir. Alê Abreu

Read More:Review: Why Alê Abreu's Sublime 'Boy and the World' is the Best Animated Film of the Year

The most awarded animated feature to open in U.S. theaters this year is a Brazilian wonder that ditches dialogue entirely for a storytelling approach that’s purely visual, whimsical, and even heartbreaking. Through the eyes of a playful young boy searching for his father, Alê Abreu’s musical odyssey conveys sophisticated notions about social justice, the voracious appetite of capitalism, and the yoke of oppression. Color pencils, pastels, watercolors, cut outs, and multiple other techniques are blended with an eclectic soundtrack molding a fascinating and gorgeous cinematic experience. Abreu’s animated masterpiece should certainly become the first Latin American animated feature to be nominated in the category (while “Chico and Rita” is set in Cuba, it's actually a European production helmed by Spanish filmmakers), as it would be an unforgivable mistake if the Academy fails to acknowledge dazzlingly craftsmanship on display.

Read More: How "Boy and the World" Director Alê Abreu Handcrafted His Heartfelt & Dazzling Animated Masterpiece

"Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet"

Dir. Roger Allers

Read More: Why 'Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet' is a Cinematic Out-Of-Body Experience Brimming with Animated Wisdom

Realizing her long-awaited passion project, Mexican-born star Salma Hayek produced this mesmerizing reimagining of Lebanese poet Kahil Gibran’s timeless classic with the help of some of the most important names currently working in the medium. Hayek, who also voices one of the lead characters, recruited Roger Allers, the man behind Disney’s “The Lion King,” to craft a linear canvas upon which eight artists could weave in their visual interpretations of Gibran’s poems on specific subjects. Acclaimed animators such as Tomm Moore, Bill Plympton, Nina Paley, and Joan C. Gratz , had complete freedom, both regarding technique and storytelling, to create these breathtaking and distinct segments. Aller’s frame narrative follows Mustafa (voiced by Liam Neeson ), a wise poet, as he is being escorted out of town by the repressive Ottoman authorities that consider his writings and paintings as subversive materials that threaten their tyrannical grip. While each individual vignette offers a lyrical rendition of Gibran’s universal lessons, Moore’s “On Love” is an awe-inspiring standout. “Hypnosis,” the tune written and performed by Damien Rice, is also in contention for the Best Original Song Academy Award.

Read More: Salma Hayek on 'Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet': 'His Poetry Talks About the Simple Things in Life That Unite Us All'

"The Laws of the Universe - Part 0"

Dir. Isamu Imakake

Eleven Arts, a small distributor dedicated to bringing Asian cinema stateside, has entered the Best Animated Feature race with an action-packed contender that will appeal to anime fans fond of intricate plots. Directed by Isamu Imakake, this Japanese sci-fi film centers on five high school friends who are forced to become heroes when they discover an alien conspiracy that endangers the Earth and life as we know it. Teen drama collides with intergalactic standoffs in an exciting and large-scale adventure. It’s luminously stylized character design and the epically orchestrated action sequences elevate the film beyond the conventions and aesthetics associated with anime series produced for TV. Imakake’s previous efforts, "The Mystical Laws” and “The Laws of Eternity," also dealt with adult-oriented and otherworldly duels between powerful evildoers and courageous youths.

"Moomins on the Riviera"

Dir. Xavier Picard

Read More: Review: In 'Moomins on the Riviera' the Beloved Finnish Icons Remain Timeless and Wise

Created in the 1940s by author and illustrator Tove Jansson, these Finnish superstars have an incredibly devout following across Europe and Asia, and though they are still not household names this side of the Atlantic, their humble wisdom cuts across geographical boundaries with ease once one gives in to their charm. In their first big screen appearance in over a decade, the Moomins decide to leave the comfort of rural life in the valley for the extravagant pleasure of the Côte d'Azur. Soon after their arrival, the roundish and unpretentious family realizes that opulence and material wealth are far from what they consider happiness. Elegantly drawn to resemble a nostalgic storybook and drenched in pastel hues, Xavier Picards take on the beloved characters is sure to add new fans to the Moomin legion and to satisfy those that throughout the decades have been enchanted by their innocent humor and surprisingly philosophical observations on the things that really matters.

"When Marnie Was There"

Dir. Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Read More: Review: Wondrous 'When Marnie Was There' is One of Ghibli's Most Profoundly Moving Works

Following Miyazaki’s “The Wind Rises” and Takahata’s “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” another Ghibli gem (and as of now their final one) of much more intimate qualities was released to eager U.S. audiences this spring. Hiromasa Yonebayashi's adaption of Joan G. Robinson’s 1967 switches England for a Hokkaido but preserves the moving bond between the protagonist and what seems to be a vision from another time intact. Introvert Anna (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld in the English-language dub) is a young girl that struggles to connect with her foster mother, thus feels alienated. When Anna meets Marnie, a gracious blond girl, while exploring the marshes that surround the town, a secret friendship quickly develops. As their individual histories are slowly revealed through expertly paced twists, it becomes apparent that their initial encounter was not merely serendipitous. Magical realism, instead of more fantastic elements as in most of Ghibli’s films, dictates the narrative, while the artistry that is expected from the legendary studio is as captivating as usual and never disappoints. The way Yonebayashi channels the original material to create a delicate coming-of-age story that accepts its characters flaws and troubling emotional journeys without simplifying them is truly remarkable. Priscilla Ahn’s heartbreaking ballad “Fine on the Outside” is also in the running for the Best Original Song Oscar.

The third annual Ajyal Youth Film Festival presented by the Doha Film Institute (November 29 to December 5) showcases feature films from 20 countries and a series of short film programs in Katara, Qatar.

Fatma Al Remaihi, Festival Director and CEO of the Doha Film Institute, says: “By providing young people with access to international cinema, filmmakers from around the world, and the space to discuss their ideas and develop critical thinking, Ajyal empowers the youngest members of our community and develops their understanding of the world around them.”

Academy Award nominated director, Hany Abu-Assad and Arab Idol champion Mohammed Assaf, whose life story "The Idol" is based on, will attend the Opening Night and will participate in a special ‘In Conversation’ session about bringing Assaf’s life story to the big screen and highlight the power of combining music and cinema and the challenges facing Arab artists today.

Read more about "The Idol" and an interview with Hany Abu-Assad at its debut at Tiff 2015.

Aside from the daily public screenings of local and international films other events are the popular "Made in Qatar"; Sony Cinema Under the Stars; Family Weekend; the Doha Giffoni Youth Media Summit ; special events and exhibitions; the Sandbox interactive digital playground; school screenings; and the Ajyal Competition, where hundreds of young jurors between the ages of 8 and 21 will watch and discuss shorts and features and decide on the winning films. competition line-up.

The popular "Made in Qatar" section features 17 films -- nine narrative shorts and eight documentaries by local talent.

More than 500 young people from the ages of 8 to 21 make up the Ajyal Competition Jury which will watch and analyze a dynamic program of films in three competitive sections followed by discussions and events including panels, workshops and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.

Each of the three Ajyal Juries are made of 24 international jurors from 12 countries including Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Serbia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The jury awards a Best Film prize to their favorite short and feature-length film, for a total of six awards. The directors of the winning films are awarded funding toward their next film, so jurors are empowered to support and promote future content that is relevant and important to them in a proactive way.

Mohaq means ‘New Moon’ in Arabic, and these are Ajyal’s youngest jurors, aged 8 to 12. These jurors will watch one program of short films and four feature-length films, marking the first year that competitive feature films are included in this category. They are: "Celestial Camel" (Russia) by Yury Feting about a young sheepherder living in the desolate Kalmyk Steppe, who sets off on an epic journey after his father is forced to sell the family’s beloved camel calf; "The Greatest House in the World" (Guatemala, Mexico) by Ana V. Bojórquez and Lucía Carreras - a film about the never-ending circle of life told through the story of a young girl in the isolated highlands of Guatemala; "Paper Planes"(Australia) by Robert Connolly - a tale of friendship, creativity and the bonds of family which centers around an 11-year-old boy with an exceptional talent for creating paper airplanes; and "Phantom Boy" by Jean-Loup Felicioli, Alain Gagnol (France, Belgium) an animated film about an 11-year-old boy whose illness allows him to have out-of-body experiences and mysterious powers.

Ajyal’s jurors aged 13 to 17 are the Hilal jury – the term means ‘Crescent Moon’ in Arabic. Five feature films and a program of shorts make up this jury’s film selection. The feature films competing in this section are: "Lamb" (France, Ethiopia, Germany, Norway, Qatar) by Yared Zeleke, a portrait of a young Ethiopian boy trying to find his way in the world; "Landfill Harmonic" (U.S.) directed by Brad Allgood and Graham Townsley and recent audience award winning documentary at Napa Valley Film Festival, that tracks the astounding rise of a Paraguayan youth orchestra whose members live next to one of South America's largest landfills and make their instruments from recycled materials; "Mina Walking" (Canada, Afghanistan), a multiple award winning documentary by Yosef Baraki, a powerful tale of a 12-year-old girl in war-torn Afghanistan struggling to make ends meet for her family; "Scarecrow " (The Philippines) by Zig Madamba Dulay which explores the complicated relationship of social injustice and familial expectations through the story of a young mother in a rural town; and " Wolf Totem" (China, France) by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Set against the backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution 1967, it is the story of a two young Chinese students who are sent on a research assignment with the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia and become fascinated by the wolves that roam the plains.

The most mature of Ajyal’s juries, Bader (Arabic for ‘Full Moon’) jurors are aged 18 to 21 and will select their favorite films from five features and two programs of short films. The feature films vying for top honors in this section are: "An" (Japan, France, Germany) by Naomi Kawase is a drama about a lonely baker whose life is reinvigorated when he hires an elderly woman with a special culinary skill; "The Second Mother " (Brazil's submission for Oscar nomination) by Anna Muylaert which is an exploration of the bond between mothers and their children told through the story of a housekeeper in Sao Paulo (Read review and interview with director Anna Muylaert here); "Taxi" (Iran), winner of Fipresci and Golden Bear Awards in Berlin 2015, by Jafar Panahi in which the celebrated Iranian director places himself in the driver’s seat of a cab, taking fares to their destinations in a wonderful portrait of contemporary Iran; "Very Big Shot" (Lebanon, Qatar), a bold and insightful dark comedy by Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya that skewers political corruption and the media circus that goes with it; and "Walls" (Spain) - a documentary by Pablo Iraburu and Migueltxo Molina that follows several subjects on both sides of three contemporary international borders, demonstrating that the people on each side of the barriers are not as different as they may believe.

In addition to the three competitive sections, the Festival’s youngest audiences under the age of 8 years will also vote for their favorite film with the help of their parents who will determine the Parents’ Choice Award in the Bariq program. Bariq films are selected to satisfy the excitement and curiosity of young children and are suitable for the whole family. This year’s program features a collection of eight short films and will also include a special outdoor cine-concert on the Katara esplanade by the Festival Tout-Petits Cinéma from Paris, with four films accompanied by live music by pianist Anthony Boulc’h and saxophonist Fanch Minous.

A senior jury of three eminent figures from the local and regional industry will determine the winners of the competitive section comprising feature films from 20 countries and a series of short film program with two awards being presented for Best Short Narrative Film and Best Short Documentary Film. The 2015 jury members are film producer Bassam Al Ibrahim (Qatar), who is the CEO of Innovation Films and co-founder of ILoveQatar.net; film actress, director and producer, Ahd (Saudi Arabia), internationally renowned for her performance in Haifaa al-Mansour’s " Wadjda;" and respected veteran journalist and media personality, Marcel Ghanem (Lebanon).

Fatma Al Remaihi said: “It has been another productive and inspiring year for filmmaking in Qatar and this year’s Made in Qatar selection indicates the rapid growth and diversity that we are witnessing in the Qatari film industry."

The films in the 2015 Ajyal Youth Film Festival Made in Qatar section are:

Made in Qatar Program 1, Wednesday 2nd December

"To My Mother" by Amina Al Bloshi

"Light Sounds" by Karem Kamel

"Her Majlis" by Najla Al Khulaifi, Dana Al Mesnad and Nayla Al Thani

"The Palm Tree" by Jassim Al-Rumaihi

"Yellow Nights" by Abdulla al Mulla

"If They Only Knew" by Sana Al-Ansari

"Heart of the House" by Gabrielle Sol

"The Notebook" by Amna Albinali

Made in Qatar Program 2, Friday 4th December

"Charlie" by Ali Ali

"Immortalizing Memories" by Mostafa Sheshtawy

"Asfoora" by Mayar Hamdan

"Good as New" by Jaser Alagha

"I Choose Islam" by Noor Al-Tamimi, Silma Suba and Zac J. Hollo

"Mariam" by Zainab Ayon

"Time" by Yassine Ouahrani

"Man of the House" by Khalifa AlMarri

"Veganize It!" by Khalid Salim

Closing night will be the world premiere of animated feature film "Bilal" (UAE/2015), a new animated feature film made with funding from the Doha Film Institute and produced by Dubai-based Barajoun Studios. Involving creative talents from 22 countries, "Bilal " by Directors Ayman Jamal and Khurram Alavi is an inspiring adventure story of faith, hope and self-discovery. Inspired by the real-life story of Bilal Bin Rabah, the film's cutting edge animation technology, impeccable research and high production values will resonate with audiences across generations. The cast and crew of the film will be in attendance for the premiere including the directors of the film and cast members Andre Robinson ("Despicable Me 2") and Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje ("Lost", "The Bourne Identity", "Game of Thrones") who voice the young and adult Bilal respectively.

The Ajyal Family Weekend will feature the regional premiere of Marking the Un International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ajyal 2015 will present in a regional first, an inclusive cinema experience specially ‘transadapted’ to suit audiences with different abilities, a special screening of Al Rayyan Productions animated short "Hero and the Message" (Qatar/2012). Guests will be able to view the film through sound alone, with special subtitles for people who have difficulty understanding speech. This inclusive version of the film has been developed with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and is the result of a collaboration between the Doha Film Institute and the Translation and Interpreting Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University who are spearheading the development of transadapted content in the Gulf region.

Fatma Al Remaihi, “Since our first edition, animated films have formed a core part of the Ajyal program and I am delighted that this year, we will premiere three incredibly diverse examples of the artform... from three corners of the globe.”

"Bilal" (UAE/2015) In a dreamlike vision, mysterious dark riders mounted on demonic black horses bear down upon a village. Nearby, little Bilal dreams of being a great warrior as he gallops along on his hobbyhorse. The riders come closer – are they real? Or are they just a figment of the youngster’s extraordinary imagination? Suddenly, Bilal’s dream becomes a nightmare. The men on horseback kill his mother and take him captive along with Ghufaira, his sister, and they are soon sold as slaves to Umayya, the wealthiest merchant in all of Arabia. Bilal never forgets this terrible day, which haunts his sleep for years to come. But the echoes of his mother’s gentle voice stay with him, a constant reminder that to break free of the chains that enslave him, he must forge his own destiny.

"The Good Dinosaur" (USA/2015), the latest feature from the award-winning Pixar Animation Studios and the team behind beloved Pixar classics "Finding Nemo" and "Inside Out" and will feature a special ‘kids red carpet’ for all families and young people from the community to participate and to be transported to a world where dinosaurs walk the Earth. Directed by Peter Sohn, the film screens on December 4th and presents an alternate history where the asteroids that wiped out these ancient reptiles never hit our planet.

"Hero and the Message" (Qatar/2012) tells the fantastic tale of a Qatari brother and sister who travel back in time to witness the founding events of the State of Qatar. Produced by Al Rayyan Productions, the top-notch animated short directed by Pawel Borowski was created to celebrate Qatar’s National Day in 2012, and screens on December 3rd.

"When Marnie Was There" (Japan/2014), screening on December 4 is one of the final anime sensations from Ghibli Studios and is based on the novel When Marnie Was There by Joan G. Robinson. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film is about a young girl Anna who explores a long- abandoned villa and meets a mysterious blonde girl only she can see.

From Japan’s acclaimed Studio Ghibli comes When Marnie Was There, a sweeping story of friendship, mystery and discovery which is coming to Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD on October 6, 2015, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, in partnership with Gkids. Based on the beloved novel by Joan G. Robinson, the When Marnie Was There Blu-ray™ and DVD deliver stirring emotions and breathtaking animation as only Studio Ghibli can, as well as hours of bonus features that go behind the scenes of a timeless masterpiece.

Sent from her foster home in the city one summer to a sleepy town by the sea in Hokkaido, Anna dreams her days away among the marshes. She believes she’s outside the invisible magic circle to which most people belong – and shuts herself off from everyone around her, wearing her “ordinary face”. Anna never expected to meet a friend like Marnie, who does not...

Though the future of Studio Ghibli remains uncertain, if When Marnie Was There ends up being the revered animation house’s swan song, it will make for a fitting final chapter in the studio’s history, if not the outright best one. While the anime art style and visual storytelling that endeared Ghibli to millions is still present, and arguably its strongest yet in terms of consistency, When Marnie Was There is a minor entry compared to the likes of Spirited Away, or even last year’s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

All the same, When Marnie Was There’s place among the Ghibli canon is undeniable. It’s at once a sweepingly elegiac melodrama, and a simple children’s fable, one adapted from the Joan G. Robinson novel of the same name. Ghibli stories split the difference between visionary fantasy and earthy realism, often times within the same movie,...

With "When Marnie Was There," Studio Ghibli fittingly concludes its remarkable production run during this hiatus on a mysterious and meditative note. It's based on Joan G. Robinson's popular Ya novel (one of Miyazaki's favorites) and explores the magic and melancholy of adolescence with shy, artistic Anna encountering strange, empathetic Marnie in the marshes of a seaside town. The English voicecast includes Hailee Steinfeld, Kiernan Shipka, Geena Davis, John C. Reilly, and Vanessa Williams. Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi ("The Secret World of Arriety") discussed his second feature, which is somewhat of a visual departure for Ghibli, via email. Bill Desowitz: Is "Ghibli Gothic" an accurate description of "Marnie," which gives off the aura of a ghost story? Hiromasa Yonebayashi: I didn’t consciously intend to make it a ghost story, but since I'm a fan of chilling stories, maybe some of that naturally seeped through....

“So I sit in my room /After hours with the moon/ And think of who knows my name” sings Priscilla Ahn during the closing credits in an emotionally stirring theme song that graciously concludes one of the most profoundly moving cinematic experiences to be had this year. In her lyrics, Ahn flawlessly captures the resilient spirit and tragic melancholy that pervade Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s animated adaption of British writer Joan G. Robinson’s 1967 novel “When Marnie Was There.” Notably current while still unequivocally timeless, Studio Ghibli’s latest film was confected with equal doses of heart-rending drama and life-affirming beauty.

Replacing England with Hokkaido, Japan, a logical move to fully embed the narrative with Ghibli’s magical allure, Yonebayashi fittingly fabricated a small town surrounded by marshes that could accentuate the fluctuating emotional distance between the two protagonists and their worlds. Following a frightening asthma attack, Anna (Sara Takatsuki/Hailee Steinfeld), a quiet young girl from Sapporo, is sent to spend the summer with relatives in a picturesque seaside community. Yoriko (Nanako Matsushima/Geena Davis), Anna’s foster parent, makes the decision in an effort not only to improve her health, but also her interpersonal skills. Soon we discover that beneath Anna’s silence there is painful resentment towards Yoriko, who she refers to as “auntie” instead of mom.

As with a great number of the famed studio's legendary masterworks, their ability to observe childhood and adolescence with a delicate maturity and truthfulness is present here – a quality that’s often lacking in American fiction aimed at this demographic. Anna can be moody, dismissive, and mean at times, yet Yonebayashi treats these occasional outbursts not as flaws but as valuable nuances that deeply inform our perception of the character. Unlike Miyazaki’s Chihiro who transforms from a spoiled child into a caring daughter or even Takahata’s Kaguya and her journey between freedom and confinement, Anna’s core conflict is an issue of identity much less concerned with the otherworldly circumstances surrounding her than the other heroines. Anna is uncertain about the sincerity of Yoriko’s love, and that translates into troubling insecurities. That’s where the eponymous Marnie (Kasumi Arimura/Kiernan Shipka) comes in.

Settled into her temporary home with her nonchalant and affectionate adoptive aunt and uncle, Anna spends her days sketching and exploring nature. She avoids other kids her age and has learned to be comfortable by herself. But when she comes across an isolated old mansion beyond the marshes, an overwhelming need to know more about it takes over her. This imposing Marsh House has a hypnotizing pull, and up close, at least in Anna's eyes, it doesn’t seem to be abandoned - a beautiful blond girl can be seen from a window. Enticed by the mysterious aura of the place Anna can't help but return and this time she meets the vibrantly gorgeous and welcoming Marnie, who appears to be around the same age but exudes an enchanting glow from another time.

Immediately, the girls become inseparable and establish a secret friendship. Under the moonlight they share each other's secrets with the trust of old confidants. Anna finds in Marnie the companionship she was missing, but there is a magical spark between them that will prove to be more than a coincidence. Still, even as comforting as spending time with her new friend is, Anna suspects that she has tapped into something beyond reality. Expertly structured to reveal itself with cautious pace, Yonebayashi's magnificent tale of unconditional love and forgiveness confronts the viewer with a number of plot twists and measured revelations that never blatantly point to its tempestuous conclusion. Marnie could simply be a coping mechanism for Anna to battle loneliness, a vision from a different era, or a tangible memory.

It's the heartwarming and intensely depicted bond between these longing souls that renders the film utterly devastating. They are connected through the shared pain of loss and their unfortunate destinies. Intelligently, the affecting topics discerned in "Marnie" are not toned down or simplified but affronted through the characters' conviction to overcome, and it's absolutely touching. Adoption, neglect, and even despair appear on screen as situations that are unquestionably rough but never unbeatable. Hope is another color Yonebayashi's uses to paint his frames.

Radiant landscapes, as luminous as masterful watercolors, are the backdrop for Ghibli's eternally detailed and uniquely stylized animation. Although "Marnie" doesn't exist in a fully fantastical realm as Yonebayashi's debut film "The Secret World of Arrietty" - which is the highest grossing Ghibli release in North America - this follow up uses those elements subtly and in a way that is cohesive with the subject at hand. It's a distinct form of fantasy that's derived not from an alternate reality, but from the vivid memories of past disillusionment sipping into the present to be be rectified. Needless to say the quality of the craft employed is reminiscent of the studio's best work, yet "Marnie" is destined to become a classic on its own merits.

Elegantly scored by renowned composer Takatsugu Muramatsu, this intimate film is a pleasure to watch because its emotive powers are fueled by every element at work, up to the last note on Ahn's poignant song "Fine on the Outside." More than just a visually delightful tearjerker, "When Marnie Was There" is an animated lullaby that reassures our broken hearts will eventually heal, even from the most indomitable tricks of fate.

"When Marnie Was There" opens today at the Nuart in L.A and in NYC at IFC Center...

“In this world, there’s an invisible magic circle,” our heroine Anna, 12, tells us at the beginning of the new Japanese animated film When Marnie Was There, based on Joan G. Robinson’s 1967 children’s book. “There’s inside, and there’s outside.” Judging by the forlorn way she looks at her schoolmates playing among themselves, the lonely Anna, we suspect, is very much outside the circle. Or rather, she sees herself outside it: Though the film is sympathetic to her self-loathing, it also makes it clear that Anna’s feelings of persecution stem from within. A foster child who lost her biological parents at a young age, this girl seems forever to be poking away at an unhealable wound.When Anna has an asthma attack, her foster parents send her to an aunt’s house by the seaside, where the air will be clearer. There, Anna finds herself drawn to a mysterious,...

"Promise me something - that we'll remain a secret, forever." GKids has released a new trailer for Studio Ghibli's When Marnie Was There, the studio's last feature film for the time being that opened in Japan last year. From Hiromasa Yonebayashi, director of Secret World of Arrietty, based on Joan G. Robinson's children's book, When Marnie Was There is a tender, beautiful ghost story of friendship and understanding. The English version of the film (which this is a trailer for) comes with voices from Hailee Steinfeld, Kiernan Shipka, John C. Reilly, Vanessa Williams, Geena Davis, Kathy Bates, Ellen Burstyn, Catherine O’Hara, Grey Griffin, Ava Acres and Raini Roodriguez. I still recommend the Japanese version, but both will be available. I recently saw this film and it's quite charming, but not as fantastic as any of Ghibli's past work. Take a look. Here's the new Us trailer for...

Gkids has released the When Marnie Was There U.S. trailer. Based off the 1981 book by Joan G. Robinson, Marnie tells the story of Anna, a lonely, young girl who meets a strange girl by the name of Marnie. Just when it seems like their friendship is striking up, Marnie mysteriously disappears, and Anna begins to learn some strange truths about her new friends. The story looks absolutely lovely with some of Studio Ghibli’s finest animation to date. Last August, we reported that although the legendary animation studio wasn’t closing its door, it was “restructuring”, and we have yet to learn what that means for their future in terms of producing movies. Judging by this trailer, I hope Marnie isn't their last because it looks like their movies are as strong as ever. Check out the When Marnie Was There trailer below. The film opens in New York and L.

Gkids, the distributor behind 2015 Oscar-nominated "Song of the Sea" and Ghibli's own "Tale of the Princess Kaguya," will release "When Marnie Was There" on May 22 in New York and Los Angeles before a nationwide rollout. Hailee Steinfeld, John C. Reilly, Vanessa Williams, Geena Davis, Kathy Bates, Ellen Burstyn, Catherine O’Hara, Kiernan Shipka, Grey Griffin, Ava Acres and Raini Roodriguez will round out the English-language voice cast for this story of a 12-year-old orphan's friendship with a ghost. Read More: An Exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour of Studio Ghibli The revered Japanese animation house has started to pull back from production in the wake of is-he-or-isn't-he-retired figurehead Hayao Miyazaki's turn toward manga-making, and this may well be Ghibli's last film (for awhile at least). Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and based on a children's novel by Joan G. Robinson, "Marnie" was a summer 2014 box office hit in...

U.S. animated film distributor Gkids has reached yet another deal with Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli -- this time to handle the North American distribution of "When Marnie Was There." Based on Joan G. Robinson's children's novel of the same name, "When Marnie Was There" is a story about friendship with elements of the fantastic woven into it. Currently, Gkids is in the midst of running an awards campaign around the 2014 Studio Ghibli film "The Tale of The Princess Kaguya." The company also has the film "Song of the Sea" in theaters. Read More: Isao Takahata's 'The Tale of Princess Kaguya' Takes Top Prize at Fantastic Fest...

Gkids acquired the North American rights for “When Marnie Was There,” a Japanese anime film written and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi.

The youth-cinema distributors obtained the rights from Studio Ghibli in a distribution agreement announced on Wednesday and orchestrated by Eric Beckman from Gkids and Geoffrey Wexler from Studio Ghibli.

See Photos: 25 Must-See Movies at the Toronto Film Festival

Based on a British children’s novel by Joan G. Robinson, “When Marnie Was There” tells the tale of a troubled young girl Anna, who is drawn to an abandoned house where she encounters a mysterious young woman named Marnie. Yonebayashi...

Toho has unveiled the full-length feature trailer for the latest Studio Ghibli film, titled When Marnie Was There, hitting theaters in Japan later this month (it won't arrive in the Us until next year). We recently featured the first teaser trailer for Marnie, which was short and made up mostly of the theme song from the film. In this full trailer we get a better sense of the story, about a young girl who befriends a ghost named Marnie, even though she doesn't release it's a ghost. There are a few playful scenes and fun moments, but as always it just looks absolutely beautiful. I'm curious to check this out, something a bit different from Ghibli, yet still made with the same passion and detail that goes into every single frame of their movies. Have fun! Here's the full Japanese trailer for Ghibli's When Marnie Was There, found via SlashFilm...

Studio Ghibli have been winning praise for The Secret World Of Arrietty director Yonebayashi Hiromasa's adaptation of Joan G. Robinson's children's novel When Marnie Was There and with the film freshly on Japanese screens a new extended trailer has arrived to further stoke interest. What else is there to say about this? If you're at all a fan of Studio Ghibli's work then this is already must viewing ... and if you're not, well just take a look below....

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The legendary Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli has a new film coming out called When Marnie Was There, and today we have the first trailer for it to share with you! The film is an adaptation of the book written by Joan G. Robinson, and it is being directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (The Secret World of Arrietty). The story follows a young girl who befriends another girl named Marnie who just happens to be a ghost. 

The book that the film is based on is number 18 on Hayao Miyazaki's 50 Recommended Children's Books list. It looks like another great movie from Studio Ghibli, and I'll be looking forward to seeing it. The film will be released in Japan in July, but there's not U.S. release date yet. I imagine Disney will eventually pick it up for distribution here in the states. Thanks to Twitch for the heads up!

Hayao Miyazaki may have retired from the animation world, but that doesn’t mean Studio Ghibli is about to plummet from the sky like a giant flying Totoro whose umbrella has been riddled with machine gun fire. No, the studio soldiers on, and while their latest release, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, hasn’t yet arrived here in the Western world, their latest latest release is gearing up to premiere in Japan (we’re so behind). That movie would be When Marnie Was There, an adaptation of Joan G. Robinson‘s novel of the same title. It’s the story of a young girl named Anna who’s depressed and alone, brimming with all the angst a lonely teenager can muster. But then she meets Marnie, and the pair soon form a quick bond. Real, palpable details about the movie are scarce, but according to the book’s synopsis, Marnie “isn’t all she seems…” But...

Since its inception in 1985, Japan’s Studio Ghibli has grown into a force on the international animated film scene, spearheaded by features from legendary director Hayao Miyazaki. News of a new feature from the studio is thus often a cause for excitement amongst film fans, and this was no different for their latest film. Titled When Marine Was There, or Omoide no Marnie, the film marks the second directorial feature of Hiromasa Yonebayashi, following The Secret World of Arrietty. Yonebayashi also co-wrote the film along with Masashi Ando and Keiko Niwa, adapting the story from a novel by Joan G. Robinson. The first trailer for the movie has now been released, and can be seen below.

The post ‘When Marnie Was There’, the new Studio Ghibli film, releases its first trailer appeared first on Sound On Sight.

Studio Ghibli has released the first When Marnie Was There trailer. Based off the 1981 book by Joan G. Robinson, Marnie tells the story of Anna, a lonely, young girl who meets a strange girl by the name of Marnie. Just when it seems like their friendship is striking up, Marnie mysteriously disappears, and Anna begins to learn some strange truths about her new friends. However, none of the plot comes through in the trailer, which contains no dialogue. Instead, we’re treated to the beautiful animation we’ve come to expect from Studio Ghibli. The trailer is really quite lovely and moving, and I hope we’ll get to see the film in the U.S. soon. Hit the jump to check out the When Marnie Was There trailer. The film opens in Japan on July 19th. No word yet on a U.S. release. Via Studio Ghibli.

The post...

New Ghibli, new Ghibli! Even though many of us have yet to see Studio Ghibli's other new film The Tale of Princess Kaguya, their very next project is due out in theaters in Japan this summer, and it's titled When Marnie Was There. Adapted from Joan G. Robinson's book, this new animated version of the Omoide no Marnie story is directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (of The Secret World of Arrietty). The story is about a young girl who befriends another girl named Marnie who might just be a ghost. This is another one of those teasers based around the theme song, and it's lovely. I'm curious to see this whenever it makes its way over. Here's the first trailer for Hiromasa Yonebayashi's When Marnie Was There, on YouTube (via Twitch): Adapted from Joan G. Robinson's children's novel When Marnie Was There (or Omoide no Marnie...

The Secret World Of Arrietty director Yonebayashi Hiromasa returns to Japanese screens in July with his Studio Ghibli produced adaptation of Joan G. Robinson's children's novel When Marnie Was There and with the release rapidly approaching the first trailer has been broadcast on Japanese television. Which means that while there are oerlaid graphics from the broadcast it is now available online as well and it's looking fantastic.With studio founders Miyazaki Hayao and Takahata Isao now effectively in retirement following the releases of their latest films and longtime producer Suzuki Toshio also calling it quits famed anime production house Studio Ghibli is in a major period of transition right now with Yonebayashi now standing as their leading name. The long term stability of the studio will...

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With a release for Yonebayashi Hiromas's adaptation of Joan G. Robinson's children's novel When Marnie Was There approaching Studio Ghibli have posted a series of new stills on their Twitter account over the past couple days with more promised to come soon. Anna hasn't a friend in the world - until she meets Marnie among the sand dunes. But Marnie isn't all she seems...An atmospheric ghost story with truths to tell about friendship, families and loneliness. Anna lives with foster parents, a misfit with no friends, always on the outside of things. Then she is sent to Norfolk to stay with old Mr and Mrs Pegg, where she runs wild on the sand dunes and around the water. There is a house, the Marsh House,...

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Studio Ghibli International has setup a Twitter account which has published a poster and three photos from the famed Japanese animation studio's newest work "When Marnie Was There".

Yonebayashi Hiromasa ("The Secret World of Arriety") helms this adaptation of Joan G. Robinson's children's novel about an adopted girl who makes a ghostly friend by the English seaside. The filmis set for release in Japan this Summer.

Marnie isn't all she seems... Time to get a first look at the latest, newest Studio Ghibli film, this one titled When Marnie Was There adapted from the book by Joan G. Robinson of the same name. We've written about this film once before, but thanks to updates from the @ghibli_intl twitter account, we now have some good shots and the first real poster for the new Marnie film, being directed by Yonebayashi Hiromasa, who last directed Ghibli's Secret World of Arrietty. Below we meet Anna (brown hair) and, of course, Marnie, the blue-eyed blonde girl. This version is set in the seaside village of Hokkaido, and looks stunning already. Here's the first When Marnie Was There shots, two from Oricon Style, the other via SlashFilm. Take a look: Adapted from Joan G. Robinson's children's novel When Marnie Was There (or Omoide no Marnie), it's a coming-of-age story...

Over the past day or so, the Studio Ghibli International Twitter account has been publishing photos from the studio’s new film, When Marnie Was There. The film is from The Secret World of Arriety director Yonebayashi Hiromasa, and is based on the children’s novel of the same name by Joan G. Robinson. In the book, an adopted girl who […]

The post Images and Poster for New Ghibli Film ‘When Marnie Was There’ appeared first on /Film.

[Fourth Update: Quad poster and third image added.]Studio Ghibli have released the first image from Yonebayashi Hiromasa's (The Secret World of Arriety) upcoming big screen adaptation of of Joan G. Robinson's children's novel When Marnie Was There and it sure aint ugly.The image arrived via Ghibli's official Twitter feed and was intriguingly labeled "1 of 4" so keep an eye out for further images [Images being added to the gallery as they are released]. Here's the Amazon description of the source novel:Anna hasn't a friend in the world - until she meets Marnie among the sand dunes. But Marnie isn't all she seems...An atmospheric ghost story with truths to tell about friendship, families and loneliness. Anna lives with foster parents, a misfit with no friends,...

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Hayao Miyazaki may be retired from filmmaking following the release of his final film "The Wind Rises", but his Studio Ghibli production studio is still plowing forward with new projects.

The company has announced that its next project will be an animated film adaptation of Joan G. Robinson's 1968 children's novel "When Marnie Was There".

The story follows Anna, a lonely misfit girl sent to foster parents who live on the UK's east coast. At the nearby Marsh House she soon meets a strange little girl and her first ever friend called Marnie. When a new family moves into Marsh House, she comes to learn the ghostly truth about Marnie.

"Spirited Away" character designer Ando Masahi are penning the script. Yonebayashi Hiromasa ("The Secret World of Arrietty") will direct with a 2014 Japanese release planned.

In other Ghibli-related news, a new trailer for the live-action telemovie remake of "Kiki’s Delivery Service" is out.

While the master filmmaker himself, Hayao Miyazaki, is retiring once and for all, his legacy still lives on at Studio Ghibli in Japan. It's very likely that Miyazaki's final film, a romantic drama called The Wind Rises, will end up with an Oscar nomination (if not a win) in March. In the meantime, we're excited to report news of the next Ghibli project due in 2014. The animation studio announced they're adapting Joan G. Robinson's children's novel When Marnie Was There (or Omoide no Marnie), with Yonebayashi Hiromasa (of Arriety previously) directing. No date is set yet, but Toho will release in Japan next year. Read on for more. The original book was first published in 1968. Here's the When Marnie Was There synopsis from Amazon: Anna hasn't a friend in the world - until she meets Marnie among the sand dunes. But Marnie isn't all she seems... An atmospheric ghost...

Japanese film distributor Toho unveiled its 2014 slate and announced that the next Studio Ghibli film will be an adaptation of Joan G. Robinson's children's novel When Marnie Was There (Omoide no Marnie). This English-language book holds a special place on Miyazaki Hayao's 50 recommended Children's Books list. Here is its description (via Amazon):Anna hasn't a friend in the world - until she meets Marnie among the sand dunes. But Marnie isn't all she seems...An atmospheric ghost story with truths to tell about friendship, families and loneliness. Anna lives with foster parents, a misfit with no friends, always on the outside of things. Then she is sent to Norfolk to stay with old Mr and Mrs Pegg, where she runs wild on the sand dunes...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...