GKIDS and Fathom Events Partner to Bring Ultimate Series of Animated Masterpieces to U.S. Cinemas Throughout 2017

Series Highlights Six of Studio Ghibli’s Most Treasured Films on the Big Screen in STUDIO GHIBLI FEST and a U.S. Theatrical Premiere of ‘Mune: Guardian of the Moon’ Beginning This Summer

DENVER – March 28, 2017 – Following the success of the “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke” cinema events, GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award^®-nominated animated features, and Fathom Events, the leading distributor of event cinema, are proud to announce a partnership to bring the biggest series of anime titles to U.S audiences throughout 2017. The series features Studio Ghibli’s revered animated classics, a selection of GKIDS new release titles and an ongoing animated short film mini-festival.

The 2017 partnership kicks off with the iconic “My Neighbor Totoro,” from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, on Sunday, June 25 and Monday, June 26.  “Totoro” is the first title in STUDIO GHIBLI FEST, a six film monthly series which continues with “Kiki's Delivery Service,” “Castle In The Sky,” “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” “Howl’s Moving Castle” and a special cinema-run of the Academy Award-winning “Spirited Away” timed for Halloween.

GKIDS is also partnering with Fathom Events to release “Mune: Guardian of the Moon,” from the producers of “The Little Prince,” for the first time in U.S. cinemas.  Two additional new release titles are anticipated as part of the 2017 GKIDS/Fathom lineup.

All GKIDS events will include GKIDS MINIFEST, an ongoing festival of award-winning short animated films from around the world, as part of the exclusive event experience.

Tickets for these titles can be purchased beginning Friday, April 28, 2017 online by visiting www.ghiblifest.com,  www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Moviegoers throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy these events in select movie theaters. A complete list of theater locations will be available April 28 on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

“We are extremely proud to be partnering again with GKIDS to bring these beloved animated films to the big screen, including some of Hayao Miyazaki’s most iconic works,” Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said. “Fans across the nation will now have the unique opportunity to experience these brilliant films as they were meant to be seen, on the big screen with full cinema sound, and together with their friends and families.”

“We are thrilled to be expanding our successful partnership with Fathom to bring Studio Ghibli and other GKIDS films to movie theaters nationwide,” said GKIDS CEO Eric Beckman. “Together we are creating an exciting and unique cinema event experience for Studio Ghibli fans to come celebrate their favorite films, while introducing wide new audiences to some of the most amazing animated films of all time.”

“My Neighbor Totoro” (1988) – Sunday, June 25 and Monday, June 26

STUDIO GHIBLI FEST kicks off with one of Studio Ghibli’s most iconic films (and characters) in this family classic from legendary director Hayao Miyazaki. Two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, move with their father to a new house in the countryside. But country life is not so simple as it seems, as they soon discover the house and nearby woods are full of strange and delightful creatures, most notably a family of Totoros, gigantic but gentle bear-like forest spirits that can only be seen by children.

“Kiki's Delivery Service” (1989) – Sunday, July 23 and Monday, July 24

This is the beloved coming-of-age story of a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt. It is tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and set out into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her life journey with her chatty black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a picturesque seaside village, where a bakery owner hires her to make deliveries.

 “Castle In The Sky” (1986) – Sunday, August 27 and Monday, August 28

This title is a rollicking adventure about a young girl with a mysterious crystal pendant, who falls out of the sky and into the arms and life of young Pazu – a consummate mechanic obsessed with aircrafts. Together they search for Laputa, the floating island in the sky, and site of a long-dead civilization promising enormous wealth and power to those who can unlock its secrets. But greedy pirates, spies and the army are also all in hot pursuit!

“Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” (1984) – Sunday, September 24 and Monday, September 25

There are few films, animated or otherwise, of such sweeping scope and grandeur as this one. Set in a devastated future world decimated by atmospheric poisons and swarming with gigantic insects, Nausicaä is a young princess, both brave and innocent, whose love for all living things and passionate determination to understand the processes of nature lead her into terrible danger, sacrifice and eventual triumph.

“Spirited Away” (2001) – Sunday, October 29 and Monday, October 30

Following the smash-hit 15^th anniversary celebration, the Academy Award-winning masterpiece “Spirited Away” returns to movie theaters as part of this unique Studio Ghibli celebration, just in time for Halloween. Chihiro thinks she is on another boring trip with her parents, but when they stop at a village that is not all that it seems, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits, shape-shifting dragons and a witch who never wants to see her leave. She must call on the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world.

“Howl’s Moving Castle” (2004) – Sunday, November 26 and Monday, November 27

“Howl’s Moving Castle” is an acclaimed fantasy based on the novel of the same name, and the second Studio Ghibli film (after “Spirited Away”) to be nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards. Sophie, an average teenage girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. However, after this chance meeting, the young girl is turned into a 90-year old woman by the vain and conniving Witch of the Waste. Embarking on an incredible adventure to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl’s magical moving castle.

“Mune: Guardian of the Moon” (2017) – Dates TBD

Plunge into a world of wonder, magic and mythology in this fantastic animated adventure from the producers of “The Little Prince,” hailed by critics as "stunning! Like a made-for-children Avatar!" (Le Monde) In a land divided between the realms of day and night, the Guardian of the Sun keeps watch over the sun maintaining light and warmth to all of humanity. The Guardian of the Moon lures the moon to the Land of Darkness to provide a balance to the sun and supply the world with dreams. At the momentous ceremony to appoint the two new guardians, the unexpected occurs: the heir apparent is passed over, and the title Guardian of the Moon is bestowed on Mune, a small forest faun who seems wholly unprepared to take on such a weighty responsibility. Now it is up to unlikely hero Mune and his friend Glim – a headstrong young girl with wax for skin – to save the sun and restore order to the world.

About Fathom Events

Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema with participating affiliate theaters in all 100 of the top Designated Market Areas®, 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 such as live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions like the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live, sporting events like Copa America Centenario, concerts with artists like Michael Bublé, Rush and Mötley Crüe, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics film series and inspirational events such as To Joey With Love and Kirk Cameron’s Revive US. 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 896 locations and 1,383 screens in 181 DMAs. 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 astounding nine Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations – including The Secret of Kells, A Cat in Paris, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and Boy and the World. 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.  GKIDS founder and CEO Eric Beckman is also co-founder of New York International Children’s Film Festival, an Oscar-qualifying event and North America’s largest film festival for children and teens.

About Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and is one of the most successful and well-respected animation studios in the world. Cultivating a creative force of talented directors, animators, and storytellers under the revered brilliance of Miyazaki and Takahata, Studio Ghibli’s films have been praised for their originality, dazzling animation, and epic storytelling. The films have become a beloved part of Japanese popular culture, and have garnered worldwide acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature of 2002 and in 2005 Miyazaki was named one of “the most influential people” by TIME Magazine.