Experience the best flicks from this iconic animation studio at the Studio Ghibli summer festival.
If the phrase ‘animated film’ conjures up memories of childhood movie nights, think again. For decades, the Japanese animators at Studio Ghibli have been creating enthralling films designed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike. Headed up by animation legend Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli’s renowned flicks draw inspiration from traditional Japanese folklore and fantasy to produce films that have earned attention and acclaim across the globe. And even those not familiar with the studio will have probably spotted Ghibli’s weird and wonderful animated characters across the internet.
For Ghibli fans, this next festival will come as a welcome surprise. Kicking off in January 2020, the Studio Ghibli summer festival brings five of Miyazaki’s best films to Sydneysiders for exclusive screenings at the Art Gallery of NSW. From January 11th to February 8th, the AGNSW will be screening these iconic titles including the Academy Award-winning film Spirited Away, the delightful feel-good fable My Neighbour Totoro and the environmental epic Princess Mononoke.
These films are beloved by viewers across Japan and beyond for their ability to capture heartfelt stories using imaginative animation techniques. Founded in 1985, the Tokyo-based studio has produced some of Japan’s highest-grossing anime films with five of Studio Ghibli’s films receiving Academy Award nominations. In fact, the studio’s most successful film, Spirited Away (2001), has proved the highest-grossing with over US$360 million in sales worldwide.
Each one-off screening will take place inside the AGNSW at the Domain Theatre, kicking off on Saturdays from 2pm. The film series has been launched to coincide with the gallery’s headline summer exhibition, Japan Supernatural which will be hosted at the gallery from November 2nd 2019 to March 8th 2020.
The AGNSW’s Studio Ghibli summer festival in association with Japan Supernatural will be kicking off on January 11th, 2020, with sessions running every Saturday at 2pm until February 8th 2020. To book your tickets and for more information, click here.