Producer and distributor GKIDS has announced its acquisition of the North American distribution rights to the newest film from Studio Ghibli, The Boy and the Heron, which opened in Japan yesterday and coincides with Academy Award winner Hayao Miyazaki’s first feature in 10 years.
Continuing GKIDS’ long-standing relationing with Studio Ghibli, The Boy and the Heron will be released by GKIDS theatrically in North America later this year.
Previously and informally referred to by its tentative title, How Do You Live, the official international title has been unveiled as The Boy and the Heron. This hand-drawn, animated feature has no images, trailers, synopses, ads, or other information available to the public, an unprecedented decision by Studio Ghibli. And keeping with this policy, GKIDS will not be releasing any further details or marketing materials at this time either.
“Hayao Miyazaki is a living legend in filmmaking, as evidenced by his Academy Award win for Spirited Away and his two Oscar nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle and The Wind Rises,’” said David Jesteadt, GKIDS president. “It’s been ten years since the world has seen a new film from Miyazaki-san, and GKIDS is so proud and honored to unveil his latest, highly anticipated masterpiece in North America.”
Since 2017, GKIDS has produced the Studio Ghibli Fest, a nationwide theatrical program of Ghibli film screenings in over 800 theaters across the country, which continues this year with a focus on Hayao Miyazaki’s films.
Stay tuned for further updates from Dorkaholics about The Boy and the Heron including a North American release date.
About Studio Ghibli: Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike over the last 30 years with beloved stories and breathtaking visuals. Under the brilliance of visionary animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki, the studio’s films are known for timeless classics such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Ponyo; and have won countless international awards including an Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away, as well as five additional Oscar® nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There, and The Red Turtle. Director and studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki was separately given an Honorary Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards in 2014, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures paid tribute to his artwork with a special exhibit when the Museum opened in September 2021.
About GKIDS: Celebrating its 15th anniversary, GKIDS is the producer and distributor of artist-driven and award-winning animation from around the world. The company has scored an astounding 12 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, Boy and the World and When Marnie Was There in 2016, My Life as a Zucchini in 2017, The Breadwinner in 2018, Mirai in 2019, and Wolfwalkers in 2021. GKIDS handles North American distribution for the 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; as well as the critically acclaimed television series, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION. Also, GKIDS is the founder and host of ANIMATION IS FILM, the annual LA-based film festival which embraces the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form, and is a vocal advocate for filmmakers who push the boundaries of the medium to its fullest range of artistic expressions.
