Bluefin Announces a Variety of Unique Action Figures for 2017 Christmas/Holiday Gifting

BLUEFIN HIGHLIGHTS A WIDE VARIETY OF UNIQUE COLLECTIBLES FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

Delight That Special Fan With A Variety Of Action Figures, Statues And One-Of-A-Kind Collectibles From Leading Manufacturers Such As Bandai Shogukan, BLITZWAY, Iron Studios, Storm Collectibles, SEN-TI-NEL and Studio Ghibli

Anaheim, CA – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Asia and more, highlights a colorful variety of unique products that will make excellent gift selections for collectors and fans this holiday season.

Browse a variety of one-of-a-kind products from leading Bluefin brands such as BLITZWAY, Iron Studios, Storm Collectibles, SEN-TI-NEL, Studio Ghibli and Bandai Shogukan. These products are available now from authorized Bluefin retailers nationwide and also from select leading online outlets.

BLITZWAY Ghostbusters 1/6 Scale Figures · MSRP $225.00 each
"Who ya gonna call?” BLITZWAY is proud to present the legendary original Ghostbusters team in a series officially licensed 1/6 scale figures. Each figure offers a highly detailed head sculpt, screen accurate costumes, a fully articulated body, and various realistic accessories. These figures are the perfect realization of Bill Murray as Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd as Raymond Stantz, Ernie Hudson as Winston Zeddemore, and Harold Ramis as Egon Spengler. Don't miss the opportunity to add these legendary characters to your collection!

BLITZWAY Ghostbusters 1/6 Scale Figures Special Combo Pack · MSRP $896.00
A special Ghostbusters Pack is also available containing all 4 figures - Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore - along with a special 1/6 scale Slimer figure with stand, a police barricade, and a "No Ghost" sign light.

Iron Studios Batman: Arkham Knight · Height: Approx. 9 inches · MSRP: $150.00
Limited Edition hand-painted Polystone statue is based on original 3D references from the action-adventure video game developed by Rocksteady Studios, published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and based on the 1989 Tim Burton movie.

Iron Studios Scarecrow Arkham Knight · Height: Approx. 9 inches · MSRP: $130.00
Limited Edition hand-painted Polystone statue is based on original 3D references from the action-adventure video game developed by Rocksteady Studios.

Storm Collectibles Mortal Kombat “Reptile” · Height: Approx. 7 inches · MSRP $55.00
Storm Collectibles presents its latest Mortal Kombat release - Reptile. Reptile comes from a realm once known as Zaterra which was mysteriously destroyed ages ago. He is the last of the Reptor race. Shao Kahn has enlisted Reptile into his forces and makes use of his stealth and skills as a spy for his army. Reptile's famous special attack are Acid Spit and the Force Ball.

Fully articulated figure stands approximately 7 inches tall and includes a variety of accessories – interchangeable hands, masks and head sculpts as well as acid liquid and force ball effects.

Storm Collectibles Street Fighter “Chun Li” · Height: Approx. 6 inches · MSRP $65.00
Storm Collectibles presents its next Street Fighter V action figure, Chun-Li, the strongest and most iconic female video game character of all time and also the first female fighter of the Street Fighter Series.

Figure stands approximately 6 inches tall and features more than 30 points of articulation as well as a wide selection of accessories and interchangeable parts including hands and head sculpts along with Kikoken, Hyakuretsukyaku and 2 Renkiko V-trigger effects.

Storm Collectibles 1/6 Scale Muhammad Ali · MSRP $230.00
Storm Collectibles is honored to present the first officially licensed 1/6 scale Muhammad Ali collectible figure. The rendering features a lifelike likeness of Ali, an exclusive Ali body-figure design, and is fully articulated, and features Everlast branded boxing gear. Figure comes with 2 head sculpts, a robe and stand with punching bag.

SEN-TI-NEL Nyanboard Figure Collection 3 · MSRP: $70.00 for a Box of 10 Figures
A new species of Danboard has been discovered - "The Nyanboard!” New friends join the beloved "Nyanboard" series in time for the holidays! These cute figures fit in the palm of your hand and feature movable heads, arms and legs. Collect all 10 renditions - Tora, Kotora, Kuro, Shiro, Mike, Pochi, Hachi, Fuji, Serval and Panda.

Bandai Shogukan Gift Items (Various) · MSRP Prices Under $10.00 each
Perfect as stocking stuffers for that special fan, compact Bandai Shogukan items include figures and other products for popular anime properties such as Dragon Ball, Megaman, Mobile Suit Gundam, Sailor Moon and Splatoon!

Studio Ghibli Gift Items (Various) · MSRP Prices Range Between $15.00 to $70.00
A variety of highly detailed home décor and collectible items are available from the Studio Ghibli collection. Notable items available for the holidays include: a music box, coin banks, clocks, perpetual calendars, mirrors, a Totoro-shaped lunch bag, and towel gift set.

Studio Ghibli Small Gift Items (Various) · MSRP Prices Under $16.00
A variety of smaller-sized officially licensed gift items featuring famous Studio Ghibli properties and characters include charms, chopsticks, lace bracelets, small towels, compact puzzles and playing card decks featuring scenes from beloved Studio Ghibli films.


About Bluefin:
Based in Anaheim, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Bandai Shokugan, and Capcom, and is also an official provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products. Bluefin the exclusive and official distributor for Blitzway Studios, Flame Toys, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL, Storm Collectibles, and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

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VIZ Media Announces New Manga and New Editions at Otakon 2017

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW MANGA SERIES ACQUISITIONS AT OTAKON 2017

New Titles Scheduled To Launch In 2018 Include The Shojo Series TAKANE & HANA, A RWBY Prequel, And More

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, thrilled audiences during its official panel held this past weekend at Otakon 2017 as it detailed a variety of new publishing acquisitions.

The titles set for publication beginning in early 2018 include the shojo series TAKANE & HANA, a hilarious romance about a courtship of opposites; as well as THE YOUNG MASTER’S REVENGE, a shojo romantic comedy featuring a conniving boy who schemes to make a troublesome girl fall in love with him.

Also announced was THE ART OF THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY, a print-only hardcover edition set for release next Spring that will feature an extensive collection of production and concept art and other insights into the acclaimed film by Studio Ghibli.

VIZ Media also revealed plans to publish a volume of RWBY prequel stories based on the mega-popular RWBY animated series from Rooster Teeth. Previously available in the digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP, the RWBY manga is written and illustrated by Shirow Miwa, who is widely acclaimed for his series DOGS: BULLETS AND CARNAGE (also published by VIZ Media).

Additional information on each of these titles will be announced in the near future.

TAKANE & HANA
Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuts February 2018

After her older sister refuses to go to an arranged marriage meeting with Takane Saibara, the heir to a vast business fortune, high schooler Hana Nonomura agrees to be her stand-in to save face for the family. But what happens when Hana meets Takane is the sparking of a bitter rivalry and the stirrings of an even stronger romance!

THE YOUNG MASTER’S REVENGE
Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuts March 2018

When Leo was a young boy, he had his pride torn to shreds by Tenma, a girl from a wealthy background who was always getting him into trouble. Now, years after his father’s successful clothing business has made him the heir to a fortune, he searches out Tenma to enact a dastardly plan – he’ll get his revenge by making her fall in love with him!

THE ART OF THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (Hardcover Edition)
Debuts March 2018

Co-founded by the legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli films have enthralled and enchanted audiences across the world. THE ART OF THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY gives fans the opportunity to follow this landmark film from initial concept to the silver screen, thanks to hundreds of sketches, concept drawings, and animation cels, plus in-depth interviews with the creators.

RWBY
Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuts January 2018

An action-packed prequel story to the global hit animation series from Rooster Teeth. When the people of Remnant aren't fighting monsters, they still find conflict among themselves. Now they are at fierce odds. Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long are Team RWBY. Together they are learning the deadly craft of hunting the monstrous species known as the Grimm.

For additional information on titles available from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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Picture Books Based on Hayao Miyazaki Films Coming December 2017

VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS THE STUDIO GHIBLI LIBRARY THIS WINTER WITH NEW PICTURE BOOK RELEASES

Full-Color Releases For CASTLE IN THE SKY And PRINCESS MONONOKE Capture The Magic Of These Extraordinary Studio Ghibli Feature Films

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, received cheers from thrilled attendees this past weekend during its official panel at Chicago’s premier pop culture and comics convention C2E2, where it announced the winter release of a pair of full-color picture books for the famed Studio Ghibli films CASTLE IN THE SKY and PRINCESS MONONOKE.

The new books expand VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library and capture the magic of the legendary studio’s animated films with easy-to-read text, full-color pictures direct from the film, and a family-friendly oversized hardcover format aimed at readers of all ages.

Castle in the Sky, Studio Ghibli’s first feature film, celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2016. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the North American theatrical release of Princess Mononoke, which has gone on to become one of the studio’s most popular anime films.

Additional information on each of these titles will be announced in the near future.

CASTLE IN THE SKY PICTURE BOOK
Debuts December 2017

The legends were true! Somewhere high in the clouds, human beings have again set foot on the floating island of Laputa, for centuries a peaceful, parklike ruin, tended only by its silent, faithful robots. But just behind Pazu and Sheeta are soldiers from the aerial dreadnought Goliath – who have captured Dola and her pirate crew, and are now looting the gold and jewels of the Castle in the Sky for themselves! But the man who guided them there, Muska, has his eyes on power, not money – and he alone knows how to activate the castle’s ancient superweapons that could make him master of the world! Can Pazu and Sheeta stop his sinister plan? Includes scene-by-scene illustrations and character dialogue from the film.

PRINCESS MONONOKE PICTURE BOOK
Debuts December 2017

Marked with the curse of a rampaging boar god, young Ashitaka sets off on a journey to cure his mysterious affliction. From behind the walls of an iron-mining town, Lady Eboshi arises to smash all obstacles to technological development. And from out of the forest comes Princess Mononoke, driven by a hatred of all humans. Can she and Ashitaka ally in time to stop the wild lands from being destroyed?

For additional information on Studio Ghibli LIBRARY titles available from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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Amazon Launches "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter" on Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video Launches Original Kids Series Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter on January 27 in the US and UK

International Emmy Award-winning animated series based on children’s novel by Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking

English version narrated by Gillian Anderson, series directed by Gorō Miyazaki and presented by Studio Ghibli and Saltkråkan

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)— Amazon today announced its original kids series, Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, is set to premiere on Prime Video on January 27, 2017 in the US and UK. An animated adventure for kids and families, the new series is narrated by Golden Globe Award-winning actress Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), directed by Gorō Miyazaki (Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea), and presented by the Academy Award-winning Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle) and Saltkråkan (the Astrid Lindgren Company).

Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter is already a full-fledged hit in Japan, winning the International Emmy Award for “Best Kids Animation.” The series is based on the wildly-popular children’s fantasy book of the same name by noted Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (Pippi Longstocking), which has sold approximately 10 million copies worldwide since its release in 1981, and been translated into 41 languages and adapted for film and television internationally.

    “With Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, Astrid Lindgren seems to be telling children to believe in their own power to grow, whilst telling adults to learn more from children”

Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter is an epic 26-part story of 10-year-old Ronja (Teresa Gallagher), born on a stormy night in a mountain fort, surrounded by her father (Rufus Hound), mother (Morwenna Banks) and a loving band of robbers. She grows to be a strong girl, and discovers that the forest is both a beautiful and frightening place inhabited by strange creatures. She befriends Birk (Kelly Adams), the son of her father’s rival, and so begins the drama of her friendship and family loyalties. Viewers follow along as she explores and understands these key factors in her life, and discovers that seemingly irresolvable choices can finally be made with the help of love and understanding.

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Studio Ghibli on their first television series, excited to have the talented Gillian Anderson narrate, and proud to bring Astrid Lindgren’s well-loved novel to life,” said Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios. “We look forward to sharing this incredible story of love, family and friendship with our customers.”

“With Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, Astrid Lindgren seems to be telling children to believe in their own power to grow, whilst telling adults to learn more from children,” said Director Gorō Miyazaki. “Mutual respect will attain freedom in the true sense of the word.”

Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter is part of Prime Video’s growing line-up of award-winning and critically-acclaimed Originals for kids and families. The series will be available for Prime members to stream and enjoy using the Amazon Video app for compatible TVs, connected devices, including Amazon Fire TV and mobile devices, or online at www.amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Prime members can also download select titles to mobile devices for offline viewing. Eligible customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream. Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter will also be available as part of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the all-you-can-eat subscription service designed from the ground up for kids. FreeTime Unlimited is available exclusively on Amazon devices, including Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, and a year-long subscription is included with every Fire Kids Edition.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Love & Friendship, and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
•     Amazon Channels: Over 80 video subscriptions to networks like HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV, and more, available to Amazon Prime members in the US as add-ons to their membership. To view the full list of available channels, visit www.amazon.com/channels.
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers.
•     Instant Access: Customers can instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on compatible TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content.

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalog with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more, visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

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"Princess Mononoke" Gets a 20th Anniversary Screening in U.S. Cinemas

‘Princess Mononoke: 20th Anniversary,’ Hayao Miyazaki’s Animated Epic, Comes to U.S. Cinemas on January 5 and 9 Only

On Director Hayao Miyazaki’s Birthday, GKIDS and Fathom Events Present the Japanese Animated Feature and Exclusive Music Video on Big Screens Nationwide

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Princess Mononoke,” the classic animated film from groundbreaking writer/director Hayao Miyazaki and the legendary Studio Ghibli, returns to movie theaters for two nights only for a dual celebration of the beloved historical fantasy’s 20th anniversary and Miyazaki’s birthday. Hailed in 1997 by Roger Ebert as "a great achievement and a wonderful experience, and one of the best films of the year," “Princess Mononoke: 20th Anniversary” comes to U.S. cinemas, subtitled on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. and English-dubbed on Monday, January 9, at 7:00 p.m. (all local times), presented by Fathom Events, in partnership with GKIDS.

    .@FathomEvents News: Princess Mononoke coming to theaters 2 days to celebrate 20th anniversary 1/5 & 1/9 #Mononoke20

In addition to the feature content, movie audiences will view the never-before-released in North America 1995 Miyazaki-directed music video by the Japanese rock duo Chage & Aska for their song “On Your Mark.”

Prior to “Princess Mononoke: 20th Anniversary,” Fathom Events, in partnership with GKIDS, will bring “Spirited Away: 15th Anniversary” to U.S. movie theaters subtitled on Monday, December 5, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. and English-dubbed Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. (all local times).

Tickets for “Princess Mononoke: 20th Anniversary” can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 350 movie theaters. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

“Princess Mononoke” unfolds as Ashitaka, a young warrior inflicted with a deadly curse, heads into the forest in search of a cure. There, he meets the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home, and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there. This classic story of the conflict between nature and civilization, and what it means to be human, has dazzled audiences for years with its iconic characters, action-packed battle scenes and sweeping scope.

“We are pleased to be partnering again with GKIDS to bring another of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s animated classics to cinemas across the country,” Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said. “Following in the footsteps of ‘Spirited Away: 15th Anniversary,’ ‘Princess Mononoke’ is set to be another fan-favorite Fathom event.”

Hot Topic will be the official retail partner of the “Princess Mononoke: 20th Anniversary" event - Fans can shop from their selection of “Princess Mononoke” products in store or online at HotTopic.com.


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 www.fathomevents.com.

About GKIDS
GKIDS is a 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 – 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 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.

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Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" Returns to Theaters for Anniversary Showings

‘Spirited Away: 15th Anniversary’ Brings Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-Winning Animated Masterpiece to U.S. Cinemas for Two Days Only

The Influential Japanese Animated Feature, Along With an Exclusive Ghibli Short Film, Hits the Big Screen on December 4 and 5 in Partnership with GKIDS

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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. “Spirited Away: 15th Anniversary” celebrates the anniversary of the Academy Award®-winning animated film and the legendary Studio Ghibli.

    .@FathomEvents News: Celebrate the anniversary of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning #SpiritedAway15 12/4 & 12/5

Fathom Events, in partnership with GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award®-nominated animated features, is set to bring this special event to U.S. movie theaters for two days only on Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. (dubbed in English) and Monday, December 5, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. (English language subtitles) local time both dates. Following the full-length feature, attendees will see an exclusive short film, “Ghiblies: Episode 2,” never-before released in North America.

Tickets for “Spirited Away: 15th Anniversary” can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 400 movie theaters. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

“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.

“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: 15th Anniversary" event - Fans can shop from their selection of “Spirited Away” products in store or online at HotTopic.com

For artwork/photos related to “Spirited Away: 15th Anniversary” visit the Fathom Events press site.


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 www.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 unrivaled eight Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations – 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 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.

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VIZ Media Announces "The Art of Castle in the Sky"

VIZ MEDIA CELEBRATES THE WORK OF LEGENDARY DIRECTOR HAYAO MIYAZAKI WITH THE ART OF CASTLE IN THE SKY

Coinciding With The Film’s 30th Anniversary, New Hardcover Release Joins The Studio Ghibli Art Book Collection And Features A Stunning Array Of Illustrations, Character Artwork And Insights From The Pioneering Creator

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, presents a special new offering to fans of the work of famed anime visionary Hayao Miyazaki with the release of THE ART OF CASTLE IN THE SKY on October 18th, 2016.

This beautiful hardcover edition joins VIZ Media’s highly commended series of art books showcasing Studio Ghibli films. THE ART OF CASTLE IN THE SKY’s debut also coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the original release of the film. THE ART OF CASTLE IN THE SKY will carry an MSRP of $34.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky was the first feature film produced by the legendary Studio Ghibli. Sheeta, a girl who has the power to defy gravity, is on the run from pirates when she meets the young inventor Pazu. Together they explore the secrets of Laputa, a flying city constructed by a long-lost race of people. All of Miyazaki’s major themes – the power of flight, the bravery of young women, and a world wrecked by change – are captured with beautiful animation and joyous storytelling.

“We are proud to release this gorgeously illustrated book that celebrates the extraordinary artwork of Hayao Miyazaki’s groundbreaking film,” says Masumi Washington, Senior Editorial Director. “This comprehensive edition is packed with the film’s art, from conception to final release, as well as commentary and insights from Miyazaki himself. It makes a fitting addition to our extensive Studio Ghibli library.”

Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan's most beloved animation directors. His first feature, The Castle of Cagliostro, was released in 1979 and his critically acclaimed film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which was based on his own manga, was released in 1984. In 1985, Miyazaki cofounded Studio Ghibli, through which he directed the box office smashes Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001), which won the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003. Howl's Moving Castle (2004) received the Osella Award for technical achievement at the 2004 Venice International Film Festival. In 2005, VIFF awarded Miyazaki the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Miyazaki’s other acclaimed films include My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Ponyo. Miyazaki's essays, interviews and memoirs have been collected in STARTING POINT: 1979–1996 and TURNING POINT: 1997–2008. His final film, The Wind Rises, was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award®. In November 2014, Miyazaki received an honorary Academy Award® at the academy's sixth annual Governor's Awards.

For information on other award-winning anime and manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.

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Bluefin Announunces New Studio Ghibli Collectibles

BLUEFIN HIGHLIGHTS A COLORFUL ARRAY OF UNIQUE GUNDAM IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS, STUDIO GHIBLI AND SAILOR MOON GIFT IDEAS FOR ANIME FANS AND J-COLLECTORS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Leading Collectibles And Hobby Distributor Delights Collectors With GUNPLA IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS Model Kits, Exclusive STUDIO GHIBLI Décor Products And Colorful SAILOR MOON Cosplay Accessories And Stationary Sets

Irvine, CA, Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, spotlights collectibles for the Holidays from its Bandai Gunpla Iron-Blooded Orphans model line, as well as a colorful array of premium Sailor Moon props and cosplay accessories from PROPLICA along with other Sailor Moon stationary and products. The company also highlights several exclusive Studio Ghibli products that includes music boxes, picture frames, calendars and other décor items inspired by popular anime films such as Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro.

Bandai High Grade (HG) Gunpla Model Kits:

HG Orphans 1/144 Gundam Barbatos "Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans"
MSRP: $12.95; Height: Approx. 5 inches; Available Now!

From the smash hit 2015 animated TV series, Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans, comes one of the 300 year-old Gundam mobile suits, originally used in the Calamity War, which can upgrade itself through adapting its fallen enemy’s armaments. Includes a giant mace and katana.

HG Orphans 1/144 HG Schwalbe Graze "Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans"
MSRP: $12.95; Height: Approx. 5 inches; Available Now!

A special high mobility Graze unit used by Gjallarhorn officer Fareed McGillis with higher output and mobility through various additional boosters on its body. Comes equipped with a 120mm rifle, battle axe, and wire claw that can be used for clinging onto objects

Mobile Suit Gundam: IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS brings Gundam's closest-ever focus on the human drama, the bonds and conflicts between the boys who take the lead roles. Set on Mars, it follows protagonist Mikazuki Augus, and his friends and foes, through the flames of war. The series is available now to stream online at Hulu, Daisuki, Crunchyroll, and the FUNimation channel.

Studio Ghibli Products:

Available now at select Barnes & Noble store locations and also from barnesandnoble.com, each Studio Ghibli item is a work of art, masterfully crafted to reflect the simplicity and depth of the Studio’s most beloved and unforgettable characters while giving fans a peak into the enchanting worlds they inhabit.

Jiji Mirror (Hang/Stand) from "Kiki's Delivery Service”
MSRP: $37.95

An adorable Jiji mirror from Miyazaki's "Kiki Delivery Service". The beautiful stained glass elegantly accentuates the antique-style window framed mirror as Jiji innocently looks peers back at you.

Totoro's Band Music Box from "My Neighbor Totoro" 
MSRP: $42.95

Listen to the sweet sound of Totoro's band through this enchanting music box.

Jiji's Gift Music Box from "Kiki's Delivery Service"
MSRP: $42.95

Enjoy the pleasant melody from Jiji's antique-style music box.

Totoro's Flower Trumpet Accessory Box from "My Neighbor Totoro"
MSRP: $28.95

Use this little log to store your accessories in the compartment below. Totoro perches on top of the case while holding an adorable flower trumpet.

Jiji's Flower Delivery Planter from "Kiki's Delivery Service"
MSRP: $49.95

Include a cute flower arrangement into this planter as Jiji sits in the basket and looks up at Kiki.

Totoro Frame (Poster Version) from "My Neighbor Totoro"
MSRP: $42.95

Let your personal photos become a part of Totoro's world! If you hold a red umbrella in the photo, you can cleverly recreate the most famous bus-stop scene in "My Neighbor Totoro".

Totoro Perpetual Calendar from "My Neighbor Totoro"
MSRP: $37.95

Enjoy your new favorite desk mate Totoro as he helpfully provides the day and date… forever.

Rustic Totoro Picture Frames from "My Neighbor Totoro
MSRP: $37.95 each

Celebrate the changing of the seasons with these rustic Totoro photo frames. Collect all four seasons!

·         Totoro Spring Frame from "My Neighbor Totoro"
The pink cherry blossoms capture the essence of spring.

·         Totoro Summer Frame from "My Neighbor Totoro"
Sunflowers and morning glory adorn the corners of this summer frame while Totoro holds his favorite leaf umbrella.

·         Totoro Autumn Frame from "My Neighbor Totoro"
Large autumn leaves embellish the corners as a smiling Totoro sits atop a mushroom.

·         Totoro Winter Frame from "My Neighbor Totoro"
Holly and berries cluster all around the frame while the blue and white Totoro hang from above. A perfect holiday gift.

The Studio Ghibli products listed above are available at Barnes & Noble store locations at: Caldor Plaza in West Woodland Park, NJ; Enfield Commons in Enfield, CT; The Centre in Copperfield in Houston, TX; South Hills Village in Pittsburgh, PA; the Milford location store in Milford, CT; University Park Mall in Mishawaka, IN; The Co. Blvd II location in Glendale, CO; the Sarasota II store in Sarasota, FL; the Northwoods Shopping Center in San Antonio, TX; and the North Village Shopping Center in North Brunswick, NJ.

Sailor Moon Accessories by PROPLICA:

For cosplayers and Sailor Moon aficionados, Bluefin is proud to offer an exclusive collection of Sailor Moon accessories from PROPLICA, including the new Sailor Moon Spiral Heart Moon Rod, to be released in December, which complements the Crystal Star, Moon Rod and Moon Stick products that are available now.

PROPLICA Sailor Moon Spiral Heart Moon Rod 
MSRP $98.99; Available December 2015

The 4th release in the PROPLICA series comes the creation of Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon’s love, the Spiral Moon Rod! In tradition with the previous PROPLICA creations, the Spiral Moon Rod is finished with gorgeous gold metallic, clear parts, lights, and sound! At 48cm (over 18 inches) the Spiral Heart Moon Rod is also the largest Sailor Moon PROPLICA yet. Get your magical girl on and perform to the sounds of the two famous attacks, ‘Moon Spiral Heart Attack’ and ‘Rainbow Moon Heart Ache’. The PROPLICA Spiral Heart Moon Rod also comes with a whimsically detailed display stand.                     

PROPLICA Crystal Star
MSRP: $67.99; Available Now!

The 3rd edition to the Sailor Moon PROPLICA line is Sailor Moon’s second transformation item, the stunning Crystal Star! High quality metallic gold finishing is used on the exterior design and delicate stones which represent each of the Sailor Scouts are also carefully set in red, yellow, blue, and green surrounding the golden crescent moon in the center. Opening the Crystal Star reveals its power source, the Silver Crystal. Press the Silver Crystal to hear familiar sound effects. You can also remove the cover to reenact the Moon Crystal Power, Make Up transformation scene!

PROPLICA Cutie Moon Rod
MSRP $99.99; Available Now!

The Cutie Moon Rod, now the 2nd addition to the high-end Proplica line, is making a comeback 20 years after its original creation. Metallic pieces and clear parts are crafted with the utmost care in order to bring the Cutie Moon Rod into perfect form. The crown jewel sparkles in various colors and luminescent LED lights along the side allow for reenactment of the Moon Princess Halation attack and other scenes from the anime. The Cutie Mood Rod also plays a variety of phrases and sound effects. Included is a display stand created in the image of the great Moon Castle.                 

PROPLICA Moon Stick
MSRP $93.99; Available Now!

The first item in this series is a faithful 1:1 scale replica of the iconic “Moon Stick” from Sailor Moon. This elegant replica measures slightly over 10", and features an accurate portrayal with colorful details and light-up gimmicks. Sound effects and vocal recordings (featuring Sailor Moon's original Japanese voice actress, Kotono Mitsuishi!) have also been used to further add to the Moon Stick's realism, with the attachment and removal of the Silver Crystal activating new lines and effects! An exquisite display stand is also included for showing off this masterpiece. Be the hero you were born to be, and earn the gratitude of the Moon Kingdom. Requires three LR44 Button Cell Batteries (sold separately).              

Additional Sailor Moon Stationary and Accessories by Sun-Star

To celebrate Sailor Moon’s 20th Anniversary, Japanese stationary manufacturer Sun-Star has come up an assortment of new Sailor Moon lifestyle goods that speak to the true Sailor Moon fan. Coming soon to a retailer near you!

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Ball Point Pen (Black Ink)
MSRP $10.00; Available December 2015

Note-taking is so much more tolerable when your pen is amazing, so Bluefin offers new Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon ball point pens. These high-quality pens are comfortable to hold and make for a smooth writing experience. Each pen comes adorned with a cute mascot character perched on one end while the pen stem is embellished with colorful images of the characters from top to bottom. Choose from Sailor Moon, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus. The pen clip includes the names of each Sailor Scout. Quantities are limited! Made in Japan.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Journal
MSRP $7.00; Available December 2015

When using a notebook or journal, the simple act of writing can transform into a very special experience. So banish lackluster notes to a three-ring binder and fill this fancy Sailor Moon journal only with thoughts, inspiration, and experiences that brighten any fan’s day! These pretty journals have smooth, matte outer covers, and the inside cover is filled with the series’ iconic images. Inner pages come printed in two-colors with your favorite characters adorned on each corner to remind that special fan that nothing boring goes in this journal.  Four different types of Sailor Moon Journals to choose from (Blue, Comic, Pink, Scouts). Made in Japan.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Denim Pouch
MSRP $16.00; Available December 2015

These versatile denim pouches can be used for pens, makeup, small toys, and trinkets. The inner lining is pink with a moon, star, and bunny (usagi) print while the zipper is a clear star charm. Blue and pink pouches available.

Sailor Moon Phrase Memo
MSRP $6.00; Available December 2015

This memo pad includes 6 different Sailor Moon full-color images with her famous catch phrases in Japanese for an authentic Sailor Moon experience.

Tuxedo Mask Phrase Memo
MSRP $6.00; Available December 2015

This memo pad is perfect for the Tuxedo Mask fan. Memo includes full-color images of Tuxedo Mask with his famous catch phrases (in Japanese) that might make you swoon. For those who read Japanese, fans also may notice one of his more questionable phrases...

Sailor Moon Memo in a Tin
MSRP $7.00; Available December 2015

This very unique product includes a colorful, round memo enclosed in a cute circular Sailor Moon tin. Once you’re finished with the memos, the tin can be used as a small container for jewelry, erasers, charms, or other knick-knacks. Six different designs to choose from! (*Memo is loose, not bound.)


About Bluefin
Based in Irvine, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Kotobukiya and Capcom, is the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Beast Kingdom, Comicave, Mr. Hobby, Groove’s Pullip dolls, SEN-TI-NEL and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

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16 Films Added to 2015 Japan Film Festival of San Fran Lineup

2015 JAPAN FILM FESTIVAL OF SAN FRANCISCO EXPANDS PROGRAM SLATE AND ADDS 16 MORE ACCLAIMED MOVIES

3rd Annual Japanese Film Festival For S.F. Bay Area Presents Biggest Program To-Date With Additional New Action, Sci-Fi Anime, Documentary, Historical Drama, Crime Drama, Short Film, And Romantic Mystery Films Scheduled To Premiere At NEW PEOPLE Cinema

San Francisco, CA – The 2015 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco (JFFSF), the first and only fully-dedicated Japanese film celebration for the S.F. Bay Area, has just announced 16 additional films that will screen as part of this year’s program.

Presenting a diverse array of current and acclaimed Japanese cinema, this year’s slate features a number of notable Japanese films across a variety of genres such as action, anime sci-fi, documentary, short film, historical drama, crime drama, coming-of-age, and romantic mystery. The just-announced films augment an extensive roster of titles already announced to run during the weekend of the 2015 J-POP SUMMIT, taking place at Fort Mason on Saturday and Sunday August 8th and 9th. A complete listing of film summaries, trailers, screening times and advance tickets are available at: www.JFFSF.org.

The 2015 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco opens in conjunction with the 2015 J-POP SUMMIT on Friday, August 7th, 2015 at the Castro Theatre, and runs thru Sunday, August 16th, 2015 at NEW PEOPLE Cinema located inside the NEW PEOPLE entertainment complex in Japantown at 1746 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115 (www.newpeoplecinema.com). Tickets to individual screenings are $13.00 each, unless otherwise noted.

The latest announced films will run at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema beginning the week of Monday August 10th, 2015 with screenings continuing until Sunday, August 16th, 2015.

THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS
Monday, August 10th, 7:00pm

Granted near-unrestricted access to the notoriously isolated Studio Ghibli, director Mami Sunada follows the three men who are the lifeblood of Ghibli – the eminent director Hayao Miyazaki, 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 Princess Kaguya.

HARAJUKU DENIER
Monday, August 10th, 9:20pm

This film unfolds in Harajuku, the melting pot of Tokyo and the epicenter of many popular sub-cultures. The lives of many young and dream-filled eccentrics, teenyboppers, narcissists, tourists, and workers from various countries – cutting-edge filmmaker Shuta Tanaka humorously captures the amalgamation of cultures found in today’s Harajuku in an ensemble cast comedy.

LITTLE FOREST – SUMMER & AUTUMN
Tuesday, August 11th, 7:00pm

Here comes the farm-to-table film for foodies! Little Forest, Summer ＆ Autumn is a beautiful adaptation of the popular comic by Daisuke Igarashi about a young woman’s self-discovery through farming, cooking, and eating to live through the changing seasons. Ichiko moves back from the city to the tiny village in Northeastern Japan where she grew up and starts living a sustainable lifestyle that she learned from her mother.

THE WIND RISES
Tuesday, August 11th, 9:15pm

Hayao Miyazaki pays tribute to engineer Jiro Horikoshi and author Tatsuo Hori in his creation of the fictional character Jiro – the center of the epic tale of love, perseverance, and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world. Inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni – Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes and grows to become one of the world’s most accomplished airplane designers.

UZUMASA LIMELIGHT
Wednesday, August 12th, 7:00pm

A nostalgic portrait of kirare-yaku - an actor whose forte is being "cut to death" with a sword in samurai films, Uzumasa Limelight goes behind the scenes of the distinctive film genre. A professional extra named Kamiyama (played by real-life kirare-yaku Seizo Fukumoto) has devoted 50 years of his life as a kirare-yaku. When the studio decides to discontinue its productions, he finds himself at a loss. Will the art of dying by the sword live on?

WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE
Wednesday, August 12th, 9:00pm

The newest feature from Japan’s famed Studio Ghibli is a sweeping story of friendship, mystery and discovery that delivers breathtaking animation that only Ghibli can bring to life. When shy and artistic Anna moves to the seaside to live with her aunt and uncle, she stumbles upon an old mansion surrounded by marshes, and a mysterious young girl named Marnie. The two girls instantly form a unique connection that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality.

THE CASE OF HANA AND ALICE
Thursday, August 13th, 7:00pm

Directed by multi-faceted filmmaker Shunji Iwai, The Case of Hana & Alice follows Tetsuko Arisugawa (a.k.a. Alice), a transfer student at Ishinomori Middle School. She hears a strange rumor about a murder case in school. Meanwhile, Alice’s classmate Hana is said to know something about the case… Was Judas really murdered? Hana and Alice embark on an adventure to solve the mystery of the “smallest murder in the world.”

HAVE A SONG ON YOUR LIPS
Thursday, August 13th, 9:00pm

This touching school drama unfolds around Yuri Kashiwagi, a former piano prodigy, who returns to her hometown to work as a temporary music teacher and supervise the chorus members at the local middle school. While practicing for the regional contest, chorus members get an assignment from Yuri to write a letter to themselves in 15 years. Facing their personal issues, Yuri and her students begin to find their own voices.

OUR FAMILY
Friday, August 14th, 7:00pm

From Yuya Ishii, the award-winning director of The Great Passage, comes this honest adaptation of a semi-autobiographical novel about a family that pulls together to fight a terminal illness will resonate close to the heart. Reiko’s daydreams and forgetfulness were not concerning to her broken family until a trip to the doctor reveals that she has brain cancer. With Reiko given only one week left to live, how will this dysfunctional family keep from falling apart?

KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL
Friday, August 14th, 9:20pm

Directed by Ryuichi Hiroki, one of Japan's leading directors in the erotic fantasy genre known as pinku (pink films), Kabukicho Love Hotel is an erotically charged drama that traces the intersecting stories of a group of employees and visitors at a notorious "Love Hotel” (a type of short-stay hotel in Japan used primarily for sexual activities) in Tokyo's red-light district- from a sexless young couple with broken dreams to a middle-aged couple on the run.

100 YEN LOVE
Saturday, August 15th, 12:00pm

32-year-old slacker Ichiko lives with her parents until a fight with her disapproving sister escalates, prompting her to move out and start working at a local 100-yen shop. One day she meets boxer Yuji, whom she has seen passing by on his way home and becomes attracted to him. After her life takes more unexpected and unwanted turns, she takes up boxing herself and attempts to change her ways.

TOKYO SHORT SHORTS 2015: A New Generation of 5 Short Films
Saturday, August 15th, 2:30pm

Co-presented by Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. By popular demand, JFFSF teams up again with the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia to present the exclusive SF premiere of five outstanding short films directed by several up-and-coming filmmakers from Japan! Enjoy a colorful mix of comedy and drama that reflect life in Japan with a delicate and witty touch.

THE BIRTH OF SAKÉ
Saturday, August 15th, 4:30pm & Sunday August 16th, 12:00pm – Director Erik Shirai will attend both screenings followed by Q&A sessions

The Birth of Saké is a cinematic documentary that reveals the story of passionate saké-makers and what it takes to make world-class saké at Yoshida Brewery, a 144-year-old family-owned small brewery in Northern Japan. Director Erik Shirai and producer Masako Tsumura were granted unprecedented full access to film at the brewery and capture the intense and relatively unknown process (even within in Japan), of traditional saké making.

THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA
Saturday, August 15th, 7:00pm

This Academy Award nominated film is legendary Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata’s (Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko) rendition of Japan’s most famous folktale, that has been decades in the making. Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter, a tiny baby girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her – but ultimately she must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime.

INITIATION LOVE
Sunday August 16th, 2:30pm

Co-starring ex-AKB star Atsuko Maeda and Shota Matsuda, this romantic mystery is based on the bestselling novel by Kurumi Inui. In the late 1980s, a college student in Shizuoka Prefecture named Suzuki begins a romance with a dental hygienist named Mayu. However, when Suzuki moves to Tokyo for his job and the two are forced into a long-distance relationship, their relationship starts to fall apart as Suzuki begins spending time with another woman named Miyako.

0.5MM
Sunday August 16th, 5:00pm

Co-presented by the Legacy Film Festival on Aging. Director Momoko Ando takes on the big subjects of Japan’s historical, social and emotional psyche with her second feature epic. Based on the director’s own novel and starring her sister Sakura Ando in the leading role of Sawa, an oddly determined caregiver for the elderly, the film is a lengthy yet magnetic road movie that brilliantly captures Sawa’s unexpected encounters and unique relationships with the elderly.

NEW PEOPLE Cinema is a 143-seat cinema located in the underground floor of NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco. Equipped with a cutting-edge HD digital projection and THX®-certified sound system, NEW PEOPLE Cinema is home for local film festivals and entertaining events. www.newpeoplecinema.com


About JAPAN FILM FESTIVAL OF SAN FRANCISCO
Launched in 2013, Japan Film Festival of San Francisco is the first and only fully dedicated Japanese film event for the SF Bay Area. This year’s edition will feature a colorful mix of narratives, anime and documentary film premieres and exclusive screenings with special guest appearance at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema in SF’s Japantown from August 8th (Sat) through August 16th (Sun), 2015. More details and ticket information is available at www.jffsf.org.

"Big Hero 6" Wins Animated Feature Oscar

Best Animated Feature:

“Big Hero 6” Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli WINNER

“The Boxtrolls” Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable and Travis Knight

“How to Train Your Dragon 2” Dean DeBlois and Bonnie Arnold

“Song of the Sea” Tomm Moore and Paul Young

“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” Isao Takahata and Yoshiaki Nishimura

Review: "The Wind Rises" and Lifts Miyazaki's Ode to Artists

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 9 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Wind Rises (2013)
Kaze tachinu – original Japanese title
Running time:  126 minutes (2 hours, 6 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for some disturbing images and smoking
DIRECTOR:  Hayao Miyazaki
WRITER:  Hayao Miyazaki (based upon the manga by Hayao Miyazaki); English screenplay adaptation by Mike Jones
PRODUCERS:  Toshio Suzuki and Geoffrey Wexler (English version)
COMPOSER:  Joe Hisaishi
Academy Award nominee

ANIMATION/BIOPIC/DRAMA

Starring:  (English voices) Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Martin Short, Stanley Tucci, Mandy Patinkin, Mae Whitman, Werner Herzog, Jennifer Grey, William H. Macy, Elijah Wood, and Ronan Farrow; (Japanese voices) Hideaki Anno, Jirô Horikoshi, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Miori Takimoto, Masahiko Nishimura, Mansai Nomura, Jun Kunimura, Mirai Shida, Shinobu Ôtake, Morio Kazama, and Keiko Takeshita

The Wind Rises is a 2013 Japanese animated film (anime) biopic and drama from director Hayao Miyazaki.  The film's original title is Kaze tachinu, and it is adapted from Miyazaki's manga (comics), Kaze tachinu, which was published in Model Graphix magazine from 2009 to 2010.  The manga in turn is loosely based on the novel, The Wind Has Risen (1936-37), by author Tatsuo Hori.

The Wind Rises is a fictionalized account of the life of Jiro Horikoshi (1903–1982).  Hirokoshi was a designer of fighter aircraft for Japan, in particular the Mitsubishi A6M Zero (or simple, the Zero), which was used by the Empire of Japan during World War II.

Walt Disney Studios released the film in English back in February 2014 through its Touchstone Pictures division.  Frank Marshall acted as the English version's executive producer.  The Wind Rises was the final film directed by Miyazaki before his retirement in September 2013.

The Wind Rises opens in Japan in 1916.  Young Jiro Horikoshi longs to become a pilot, but cannot because of his poor eyesight.  Jiro even dreams of meeting famous Italian aircraft designer, Giovanni Battista Caproni (Stanley Tucci), a figure that will often haunt Jiro's dreams over the years.  Seven years later, two important things happen.  Jiro begins studying aeronautical engineering, and he also meets a girl, Nahoko Satomi.

After he graduates, adult Jiro (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) starts working for an aircraft manufacturer (Mitsubishi).  Jiro begins a quest to built a fighter aircraft for Japan that will match the best that any other country has to offer, especially that of Japan's ally, Germany.  Jiro reunites with the adult Nahoko (Emily Blunt) and begins a romance with her.  However, Nahoko's illness and his professional setbacks threaten Jiro's dreams.

The Wind Rises was somewhat controversial in Japan because of Jiro Horikoshi's aircraft inventions and how they were used by imperial Japan during the second World War.  However, The Wind Rises is not a biographical drama in the conventional sense, which is why I call it a “biopic.”  It is a movie with both biographical elements and fictional attachments.  For instance, the Jiro-Nahoko Satomi romance is fictional, and Nahoko is a character from Tatsuo Hori's novel, The Wind Has Risen.

The Wind Rises not only takes a look at the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II, but it is mainly inspired by his quest to create fighter aircraft for Japan that would match the best aircraft created in Europe and the United States.

The Wind Rises is an impressionistic spectacle.  Miyazaki deliberately deviates from fact in order to examine the artistic process, revealing Jiro Horikoshi as an artist in full bloom.  The “wind” in this film is a metaphor for the imagination that soars.  The wind is also a vehicle by which the artist travels to meet the man who inspired him,  Giovanni Caproni, in the realm of daydream and imagination – first as a pupil and then, as an equal.  In this film, Miyazaki does not make “wind” ethereal; rather, it is beauty that is fragile and even corruptible.

The Wind Rises is a bittersweet goodbye from Miyazaki to his admirers and fans.  This retirement had to happen eventually, but our sadness need no be overwhelming.  The wind still rises, and the beauty of Hayao Miyazaki's art will live on.

8 of 10
A

Friday, January 2, 2014


NOTES:
2014 Academy Awards, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” (Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki)

2014 Golden Globes, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Foreign Language Film” (Japan)

The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

2015 Oscar Nominations Announced - Complete List

by Leroy Douresseaux

This morning, Thursday, January 15, 2015, the nominations for the 87th annual Academy Awards were announced by filmmakers Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams, actor Chris Pine, and Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs live from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills.

This is a quickie posting for our readers.  We will post these again, but with complete credits including the names of individuals who received Oscar nods in categories like “Best Picture,” “Best Animated Feature Film,” and other feature film and short film categories.  But if you need that info now, please go here or http://oscar.go.com/nominees?cid=Noms_ampas

The 87th Academy Award Nominations for the 2015 Oscars:

Best Picture
"American Sniper"
"Birdman"
"Boyhood"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Selma"
"The Theory of Everything"
"Whiplash"

Best Director
Alejandro González Iñárritu, "Birdman"
Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"
Bennett Miller, "Foxcatcher"
Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Morten Tyldum, "The Imitation Game"

Best Actor
Steve Carell, "Foxcatcher"
Bradley Cooper, "American Sniper"
Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
Michael Keaton, "BIrdman"
Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything"

Best Actress
Marion Cotillard, "Two Days, One Night"
Felicity Jones, "The Theory of Everything"
Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"
Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"
Reese Witherspoon, "Wild"

Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, "The Judge"
Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"
Edward Norton, "Birdman"
Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher"
J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"
Laura Dern, "Wild"
Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"
Emma Stone, "Birdman"
Meryl Streep, "Into the Woods"

Best Adapted Screenplay
"American Sniper" (Jason Hall)
"The Imitation Game" (Graham Moore)
"Inherent Vice" (Paul Thomas Anderson)
"The Theory of Everything" (Anthony McCarten)
"Whiplash" (Damien Chazelle)

Best Original Screenplay
"Birdman" (Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo)
"Boyhood" (Richard Linklater)
"Foxcatcher" (E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman)
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (Wes Anderson, Hugo Guiness)
"Nightcrawler" (Dan Gilroy)

Best Cinematography
"Birdman" (Emmanuel Lubezki)
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (Robert D. Yeoman)
"Ida" (Ryszard Lenczweski; Lukasz Zal)
"Mr. Turner" (Dick Pope)
"Unbroken" (Roger Deakins)

Best Costume Design
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (Milena Canonero)
"Inherent Vice" (Mark Bridges)
"Into the Woods" (Colleen Atwood)
"Mr. Turner" (Jacqueline Durran)
"Maleficent" (Anna B. Sheppard)

Best Film Editing
"American Sniper" (Joel Cox, Gary Roach)
"Boyhood" (Sandra Adair)
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (Barney Pilling)
"The Imitation Game" (William Goldenberg)
"Whiplash" (Tom Cross)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
"Foxcatcher"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"Guardians of the Galaxy"

Best Music (Original Score)
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (Alexandre Desplat)
"The Imitation Game" (Alexandre Desplat)
"Interstellar" (Hans Zimmer)
"Mr. Turner" (Gary Yershon)
"The Theory of Everything" (Jóhann Jóhannsson)

Best Music (Original Song)
"Lost Stars" from "Begin Again"
"I'm Not Gonna Miss You" from "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me"
"Everything is Awesome" from "The LEGO Movie"
"Glory" from "Selma"
"Grateful" from "Beyond the Lights"

Best Production Design
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (Adam Stockhausen; Anna Pinnock)
"The Imitation Game" (Maria Djurkovic; Tatiana Macdonald)
"Interstellar" (Nathan Crowley; Gary Fettis, Paul Healy)
"Into the Woods" (Dennis Gassner; Anna Pinnock)
"Mr. Turner" (Suzie Davies; Charlotte Watts)

Best Sound Editing
"American Sniper"
"Birdman"
"The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies"
"Interstellar"
"Unbroken"

Best Sound Mixing
"American Sniper"
"Birdman"
"Interstellar"
"Unbroken"
"Whiplash"

Best Visual Effects
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"
"Guardians of the Galaxy"
"Interstellar"
"X-Men: Days of Future Past"

Best Animated Feature Film
"Big Hero 6"
"The Boxtrolls"
"How to Train Your Dragon 2"
"Song of the Sea"
"The Tale of Princess Kaguya"

Best Foreign Language Film
"Wild Tales" (Damián Szifrón; Argentina)
"Tangerines" (Zaza Urushadze; Estonia)
"Timbuktu" (Abderrahmane Sissako; Mauritania)
"Ida" (Pawel Pawlikowski; Poland)
"Leviathan" (Andrey Zvyagintsev; Russia)

Best Documentary Feature
"CITIZENFOUR"
"Finding Vivian Mayer"
"Last Days in Vietnam"
"The Salt of the Earth"
"Virunga"

Best Documentary (Short Subject)
"Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1"
"Joanna"
"Our Curse"
"The Reaper"
"White Earth"

Best Short Film (Animated)
"The Bigger Picture"
"The Dam Keeper"
"Feast"
"Me and My Moulton"
"A Single Life"

Best Short Film (Live Action)
"Aya"
"Boogaloo and Graham"
"Butter Lamp"
"Parvaneh"
"The Phone Call"

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Boston Society of Film Critics Choose "Boyhood" as Best Picture of 2014

The Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC) was formed in 1981.  The group claims that its mission is to make “Boston's unique critical perspective heard on a national and international level by awarding commendations to the best of the year's films and filmmakers and local film theaters and film societies that offer outstanding film programming.”  One of the society’s members, Wesley Morris, won 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.

2014 Boston Society of Film Critics Awards Winners:

Best Picture  - Boyhood

Best Actor - Michael Keaton for Birdman

Best Actress - Marion Cotillard for The Immigrant and Two Days, One Night

Best Supporting Actor -  J. K. Simmons for Whiplash

Best Supporting Actress -  Emma Stone for Birdman

Best Director - Richard Linklater for Boyhood

Best Screenplay -  (TIE)

• Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo for Birdman
• Richard Linklater for Boyhood

Best Cinematography - Emmanuel Lubezki for Birdman

Best Documentary - Citizenfour

Best Foreign-Language Film  (awarded in memory of Jay Carr) -  Two Days, One Night (Belgium)

Best Animated Film - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya

Best Film Editing (awarded in memory of Karen Schmeer) - Sandra Adair for Boyhood

Best New Filmmaker (awarded in memory of David Brudnoy) -  Dan Gilroy for Nightcrawler

Best Ensemble Cast -  Boyhood

Best Use of Music in a Film - Inherent Vice

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"Boyhood" is Los Angeles Film Critics' Best Picture of 2014

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) is a professional organization of Los Angeles-based, professional film critics working in the Los Angeles print and electronic media.  Since 1975, LAFCA members vote on the year's Achievement Awards each December, honoring screen excellence on both sides of the camera.

40th Annual (2014) Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards:

BEST PICTURE: “Boyhood”
Runner-up:  “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

BEST DIRECTOR:  Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Wes Anderson for “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

BEST ACTOR:  Tom Hardy for "Locke"
Runner-up: Michael Keaton for "BIRDMAN"

BEST ACTRESS:  Patricia Arquette for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Julianne Moore for "Still Alice"

Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons for “Whiplash”
Runner up: Edward Norton for "Birdman"

Best Supporting Actress: Agata Kulesza for "Ida"
Runner-up: Rene Russo "Nightcrawler"

Best Screenplay: Wes Anderson fir “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Runner-up: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr., and Armando Bo for "Birdman"

Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki for "Birdman"
Runner-up: Dick Pope  for "Mr Turner"

Best Production Design: Adam Stockhausen for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Runner-up: Ondrej Nekvasil for "Snowpiercer"

Best Editing: Sandra Adair for "Boyhood"
Runner-up: Barney Pilling "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Best Music Score (TIE): Jonny Greenwood for "Inherent Vice" and Mica Levi for "Under the Skin"

Best Foreign-Language Film: "Ida" Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Runner-up: "Winter Sleep" directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Best Documentary/Non-Fiction Film: "CITIZENFOUR" Directed by Laura Poitras
Runner-up: "Life Itself" Directed by Steve James

Best Animation: "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” directed by Isao Takahata
Runner-up: "The Lego Movie" directed by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

New Generation:  Ava DuVernay for “Selma”

The Douglas Edwards Experimental/Independent Film/Video Award: Walter Reuben "The David Whiting Story"

Career Achievement: Gena Rowlands

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2015 Annie Awards Nominations Announced - Complete List

ASIFA-Hollywood, the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Society, presents the Annie Awards.  The Annie honors achievements in animation as a whole, including current animated productions, as well as career and lifetime achievements.  These awards were created in 1972 by veteran voice talent June Foray.

On Monday, December 1, 2014, ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations for the 42nd Annual Annie Awards, recognizing the year 2014's best in the field of animation.  The Annie Awards cover 36 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Special Production, Commercials, Short Subjects, and Outstanding Individual Achievements.  The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.  A pre-reception and press line begins at 5:00 pm with the awards ceremony following at 7:00 pm.  A post-show celebration begins immediately following the ceremony, and all events will be held at Royce Hall.

The “Juried Awards” honoring career achievement and exceptional contributions to animation, will also be presented.  Three “Winsor McCay” recipients have been selected by the ASIFA-Hollywood Board of Directors, and they are Didier Brunner, Don Lusk and Lee Mendelson for their career contributions to the art of animation.  The “June Foray Award” goes to Charles Solomon for his significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation.  The “Ub Iwerks Award” goes to DreamWorks Animation’s Apollo Software for technical advancement that has made a significant impact on the art or industry of animation.  The “Special Achievement Award” will be given to The Walt Disney Family Museum recognizing the unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation.

2015/42nd Annie Awards nominations:

PRODUCTION CATEGORIES

Best Animated Feature
    Big Hero 6 - 
Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio
    How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
    Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
    The Book of Life - Reel FX
    The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
    The LEGO Movie -Warner Bros. Pictures
    The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli

Best Animated Special Production
    Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC
    Dawn of the Dragon Racers - DreamWorks Animation
    How Murray Saved Christmas - Universal Television
    Polariffic - Bent Image Lab
    Toy Story That Time Forgot - Pixar Animation Studios

Best Animated Short Subject
    Coda
- 62 George Street
    Duet
- Glen Keane Productions
    Feast
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Inside Homer - The Simpsons Couch Gag (Episode #549)  - Acme Filmworks
    Me and My Moulton
- National Film Board of Canada
    Silent -
Creative Artists Agency
    The Dam Keeper 
- Tonko House LLC
    The Raven - Moonbot Studios

Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial
    Citizen M: "Swan Song" - Stoopid Buddy Stoodios
    Flight of the Stories - Aardman Animations
    LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham 
- Plastic Wax

Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
    Doc McStuffins 
- Disney Channel / Disney XD
    Peter Rabbit - 
Nickelodeon Animation Studio
    Tumble Leaf
- Amazon Studios
    Wallykazam! - 
Nickelodeon Animation Studio
    Zack & Quack
- Zodiak Kids

Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience
    Adventure Time
 - Cartoon Network
    Gravity Falls - 
Disney Television Animation
    Legend of Korra - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
    Over The Garden Wall
 - Cartoon Network
    Wander Over Yonder 
- Disney Television Animation

Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Archer
 - FX Networks
    Back To Backspace
- Cartoon Network Studios
    Bob's Burgers
 - Bento Box Entertainment
    Rick and Morty 
- Starburns Industries, Inc.
    Mike Tyson Mysteries 
- Warner Bros. Animation
    Regular Show 
- Cartoon Network Studios
    The Simpsons
 - The Simpsons

Best Animated Video Game
    Forza Horizon 2 - Microsoft - Turn 10 Studios
    Valiant Hearts: The Great War - Ubisoft
    Child of Light - Ubisoft

Best Student Film
    After School - Junyi Xiao
    Dead Over Heels  - Jose Matheu
    El Coyote
 - Javier Barboza
    Frog's Legs -
 Katie Tamboer
    My Big Brother 
- Jason Rayner
    Tiny Nomad 
- Toniko Pantoja

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production
    Michael Kaschalk, Peter DeMund, David Hutchins, Henrik Falt, John Kosnik - Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
    James Jackson, Lucas Janin, Tobin Jones, Baptiste Van Opstal, Jason Mayer - How to Train Your Dragon 2
- DreamWorks Animation
    Fangwei Lee, Krzysztof Rost, Jihyun Yoon, Robert Chen - Mr. Peabody & Sherman -
DreamWorks Animation
    Mitul Patel, Nicolas Delbecq, Santosh Khedkar, Yash Argawal - Penguins of Madagascar
- DreamWorks Animation
    Augusto Schillaci, Erich Turner, Bill Konersman, Chris Rasch, Joseph Burnette - The Book of Life - Reel FX
    Rick Sevy, Peter Vickery, Kent Estep, Peter Stuart, Ralph Procida - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
    Jayandera Danappal, Matt Ebb, Christian Epunan Hernandez, Danielle Brooks, Raphael Gadot - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures

Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
    Steve Avoujageli, Atsushi Ikarashi, Pawel Grochola, Paul Waggoner, Viktor Lundqvist - Edge of Tomorrow - Sony Pictures Imageworks
    Raul Essig, Karin Cooper, Rick Hankins, Owen Calouro - Noah - 
Industrial Light & Magic
    Charles-Felix Chabert, Daniel La Chapelle, Spencer Lueders, Klaus Seitschek, Chris Messineo - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 
- Sony Pictures Imageworks
    Areito Echevarria, Andreas Soderstrom, Ronnie Menahem, Christoph Sprenger, Kevin Romond - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - 
Weta Digital
    Michael Balog, Jim Van Allen, Rick Hankins, John Hansen - Transformers: Age of Extinction -
 Industrial Light & Magic
    Jeremy Hampton, Daniel Stern, Edmond Smith III, Hiroshi Tsubokawa, Daniel Jenkins - X-Men: Days of Future Past - 
Digital Domain

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
    Don Crum - Toy Story That Time Forgot - 
Pixar Animation Studios
    Carlo Vogele - Toy Story That Time Forgot 
- Pixar Animation Studios
    Ken Kim - Toy Story That Time Forgot  - Pixar Animation Studios
    Michael Granberry - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
    Teresa Drilling - Tumble Leaf - Amazon Studios
    Justin Nichols - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production
    Fabio Lignini - How to Train Your Dragon 2 
- DreamWorks Animation
    Steven "Shaggy" Hornby - How to Train Your Dragon 2
- DreamWorks Animation
    Thomas Grummt - How to Train Your Dragon 2
- DreamWorks Animation
    Ravi Kamble - Penguins of Madagascar
 - DreamWorks Animation
    Travis Knight - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
    Malcolm Lamont - The Boxtrolls
- Focus Features/Laika
    Jason Stalman - The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production
    Daniel Barrett, Paul Story, Eteuati Tema, Alessandro Bonora, Dejan Momcilovic - Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
 - Weta Digital
    Kevin Spruce, Dale Newton, Sidney Kombo, Chris Mullins, Brad Silby - Guardians of the Galaxy - Framestore
    Eric Reynolds, David Clayton, Andreja Vuckovic, Guillaume Francois, Gios Johnston - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Weta Digital

Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Video Game
    Mike Mennillo - Assassin's Creed Unity - Ubisoft
    Don't Starve: Console Edition - Klei Entertainment Inc.
    Alex Drouin - Child Of Light - Ubisoft

Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Andy Suriano - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
    Benjamin Balistreri - Wander Over Yonder 
-  Disney Television Animation
    Zac Gorman - Welcome to the Wayne - Nickelodeon Animation Studio

Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
    Shiyoon Kim, Jin Kim - Big Hero 6
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Timothy Lamb, Joe Moshier - Mr. Peabody & Sherman - 
DreamWorks Animation
    Craig Kellman, Joe Moshier, Stevie Lewis, Todd Kurosawa - Penguins of Madagascar
 - DreamWorks Animation
    Sang Jun Lee, Jason Sadler, José Manuel Fernandez Oli - Rio 2 
- Blue Sky Studios
    Tomm Moore, Marie Thorhauge, Sandra Anderson, Rosa Ballester Cabo - Song of the Sea
 - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
    Paul Sullivan, Sandra Equihua, Jorge R. Gutierrez - The Book of Life - Reel FX 
    Mike Smith - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika

Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Yuasa Masaaki, Eunyoung Choi - Adventure Time
 - Cartoon Network
    Bryan Fordney - Archer
 - FX Networks
    Jennifer Coyle & Bernard Derriman - Bob's Burgers
 - Bento Box Entertainment
    Aaron Springer - Disney Mickey Mouse 
- Disney Television Animation
    Rob Renzetti - Gravity Falls
 - Disney Television Animation
    Robert Alvarez, Ken Bruce, Larry Leichliter - Over The Garden Wall - 
Cartoon Network
    Matthew Nastuk - The Simpsons
 - The Simpsons
    David Thomas - Wander Over Yonder - 
Disney Television Animation

Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production
    Don Hall & Chris Williams - Big Hero 6
 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Bill Plympton - Cheatin'
 - Plymptoons Studio
    Dean DeBlois - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation
    Tomm Moore - Song of the Sea
 - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
    Jorge R. Gutierrez - The Book of Life
 - Reel FX
    Anthony Stacchi & Graham Annable - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
    Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, Directors; Chris McKay, Co-Director - The LEGO Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures
    Isao Takahata - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
 - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli

Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Christopher Willis - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
    Peter Lurye, George Gabriel, Chris Gifford - Dora and Friends: Into the City! - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
    Jay Vincent, Michael Kramer, Jeppe Riddervold, Erin Chapman - Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu
 - Jam
    Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter & Michael McCuistion - Marvel's Avengers Assemble
 - Dynamic Music Partners
    Nathan Barr & Lisbeth Scott - Tumble Leaf
 - Amazon Studios

Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production
    Nicole Renaud, Composer - Cheatin'
 - Plymptoons Studio
    John Powell, Jónsi - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation
    Danny Elfman - Mr. Peabody & Sherman
- DreamWorks Animation 
    Bruno Coulais & Kila - Song of the Sea
- GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
    Joe Hisaishi - The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
- GKIDS/Studio Ghibli

Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Kara Vallow, Brent Woods, Lucas Gray & Andrew Brandou - Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
 - Voyager Pictures LLC
    Joseph Holt - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation 
    Narina Sokolova - Mickey Shorts
- Disney
    Kevin Dart, Chris Turnham, Jasmin Lai & Elle Michalka - The Powerpuff Girls - Cartoon Network
    Antonio Canobbio, Khang Le, Mark Taihei, Howard Chen & Brandon Cuellar - Turbo FAST - 
DreamWorks Animation
    Alex Kirwan, Chris Tsirigotis, Alexander Duckworth, Janice Kubo & Francis Giglio - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation
    Erez Gavish - Zack & Quack - Zodiak Kids

Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
    David James, Ruben Perez, Priscilla Wong, Timothy Lamb & Alexandre Puvilland - Mr. Peabody & Sherman
- DreamWorks Animation
    Adrien Merigeau - Song of the Sea - 
GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
    Simon Varela & Paul Sullivan - The Book of Life 
- Reel FX
    Paul Lasaine, Tom McClure & August Hall - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
    Grant Freckelton - The LEGO Movie
 - Warner Bros. Pictures 

Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Heiko Drengenberg - Disney Mickey Mouse - Disney Television Animation
    Luke Weber, Alonso Ramirez Ramos, Neil Graf & Steve Heneveld - Gravity Falls 
- Disney Television Animation
    Joaquim Dos Santos - Legend of Korra -Nickelodeon Animation Studio
    Nathaniel Villanueva & Douglas Lovelace - Star Wars Rebels
 - Disney Channel / Disney XD
    Brad Ableson, Matthew Faughnan & Stephen Reis - The Simpsons
 - Film Roman
    Louise Smythe - Toy Story That Time Forgot 
- Pixar Animation Studios
    Mark Ackland - Wander Over Yonder - Disney Television Animation

Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
    Marc E. Smith - Big Hero 6
 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Truong "Tron" Son Mai - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation
    Piero Peluso - Planes: Fire & Rescue
 - Disneytoon Studios
    John Hurst - Rio 2
 - Blue Sky Studios
    Rodrigo Castro - Rio 2
- Blue Sky Studios
    Julian Nariño - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features
    Emanuela Cozzi - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika

Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Bill Farmer as the voices of Goofy and Grandma - Disney Mickey Mouse
 - Disney Television Animation
    Carlos Alazaraqui as the voice of Crocker - Fairly Oddparents - Nickelodeon Animation Studio
    Seth Green as the voice of Robot Chicken Nerd - Robot Chicken 
- Stoopid Buddy Stoodios

Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
    Cyndi Lauper as the voice of Nurse Cyndi - Henry & Me - Reveal Animation Studios
    Andy Garcia as the voice of Eduardo - Rio 2 
- Blue Sky Studios
    Sir Ben Kingsley as the voice of Archibald Snatcher - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
    Dee Bradley Baker as the voice of Fish - The Boxtrolls 
- Focus Features/Laika

Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Darrick Bachman - Disney Mickey Mouse
 - Disney Television Animation
    Dave Tennant, David P. Smith, Chris Mitchell & Will Mata - The Powerpuff Girls
 - Cartoon Network
    Rob LaZebnik - The Simpsons
 - 20th Century Fox
    Tim Long  - The Simpsons - 20th Century Fox
    Steve Purcell - Toy Story That Time Forgot  - 
Pixar Animation Studios

Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production
    Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson & Jordan Roberts - Big Hero 6
 - Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Dean DeBlois - How to Train Your Dragon 2
 - DreamWorks Animation
    Will Collins - Song of the Sea 
- GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
    Irena Brignull & Adam Pava - The Boxtrolls
 - Focus Features/Laika
    Phil Lord & Christopher Miller - The Lego Movie
 - Warner Bros. Pictures

Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
    Illya Owens - Disney Mickey Mouse
 - Disney Television Animation
    Ernesto Matamoros - Dragons: Defenders of Berk
 - DreamWorks Animation Television
    Mike Elias - Family Guy
 - Super 78
    David Suther, Bradley Furnish & David Condolora - Toy Story That Time Forgot
 - Pixar Animation Studios
    Todd Raleigh & Doug Vito - Turbo FAST
 - DreamWorks Animation

Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
    Tim Mertens - Big Hero 6 
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
    John K. Carr - How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation
    Dan Molina, Mark Keefer & Karen Hathaway - Planes: Fire & Rescue - 
Disneytoon Studios
    Darragh Byrne - Song of the Sea
 - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
    David Burrows, Todd Hansen, Doug Nicholas, Jonathan Tappin & Courtney O'Brien-Brown - The LEGO Movie 
- Warner Bros. Pictures

www.annieawards.org

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