Animation distributor GKIDS acquires North American rights to the Studio Ghibli documentary ‘The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness’ at Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
New York – GKIDS announced a distribution agreement with Studio Ghibli for the North American rights to the documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness prior to its appearance at Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Directed by Mami Sunada (Death of a Japanese Salesman) the film provides a rare fly-on-the-wall look at the inner workings of one of the world’s most enigmatic and successful animation studios.
Granted near-unfettered access to the notoriously insular Studio Ghibli, director Mami Sunada follows the three men who are the lifeblood of Ghibli -- the eminent director Hayao Miyazaki, the producer Toshio Suzuki, and the elusive and influential “other director” Isao Takahata -- over the course of a year as the studio rushes to complete two films, Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises and Takahata’s The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. The result is a rare “fly on the wall” look at the inner workings of one of the world’s most celebrated animation studios, and an insight into the dreams, passion and singular dedication of these remarkable creators.
The deal was negotiated by Geoffrey Wexler for Studio Ghibli and Eric Beckman for GKIDS. In addition to The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, GKIDS distributes Studio Ghibli’s From Up on Poppy Hill, as well Isao Takahata’s upcoming The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, which will release theatrically and be submitted for awards consideration in fall, 2014. GKIDS also handles North American theatrical distribution for the Studio Ghibli library.
Source: GKIDS
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
