Indie Anime Hit Coming to Us Theaters in 2022
What You Need to Know:
- GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced today it has acquired all North American distribution rights for the stylish ode to filmmaking, POMPO THE CINEPHILE (Eiga Daisuki Pompo-san). Known for his dynamic, maximalist animation sequences, Director Takayuki Hirao (“God Eater,” The Garden of Sinners) returns to the director’s chair with production from the all-new studio CLAP.
- An official selection at the 2021 Fantasia Film Festival, POMPO THE CINEPHILE was domestically released on June 4, 2021, and has remained an indie hit, playing for 15 weeks and counting, with a current box office of ¥200,000,000 (approx. $1.8 million USD) to date. Fueled by the excitement from the film’s domestic release, a crowdfunding campaign to create a 35mm print of the feature achieved its fundraising goals of ¥10,000,000 (approx. $91,000 USD) in just eleven days.
- GKIDS will release POMPO THE CINEPHILE theatrically in both its original Japanese language and an all-new English dubbed version early next year. The all-rights North American distribution deal was negotiated between GKIDS and AVEX Pictures Inc., who handle international sales.
“Pompo the Cinephile is a completely charming and original work. Both hilarious and earnest, its contemplation of what it takes to pursue an artistic vision is an inspiration for these times. I cannot wait to share the experience with audiences in theaters early next year.”
GKIDS President David Jesteadt.
SYNOPSIS
Pompo is a talented and gutsy producer in “Nyallywood,” the movie-making capital of the world. Although she’s known for B-movies, one day Pompo tells her movie-loving but apprehensive assistant Gene that he will direct her next script: a delicate drama about an aging and tormented creative genius, starring the legendary and Brando-esque actor Martin Braddock, and a young actress seeking her first break. But when the production heads towards chaos, can Gene rise to Pompo’s challenge, and succeed as a first-time director?
Pompo the Cinephile is a rollicking, exuberant ode to the power of the movies, and the joys and heartbreak of the creative process, as a new director and his team devote their lives to the pursuit of a “masterpiece.”
Title: Pompo the Cinephile (Eiga daisuki Pompo-san)
Director: Takayuki Hirao
Art Director: Takafumi Nishima, Miu Miyamoto
Character Design: Shingo Adachi
Cast: Hiroya Shimizu, Konomi Kohara, Ai Kakuma, Aiko Otsuka, Rinka Ōtani
Country: Japan
Production Studio: CLAP
About GKIDS
GKIDS is the producer and distributor of award-winning feature animation for both adult and family audiences. Since 2010, 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 also 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. GKIDS also hosts ANIMATION IS FILM (AIF), an 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. AIF returns to Hollywood this fall, October 22-24. www.gkids.com
About AVEX
Avex is a Japanese entertainment conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1988, the company covers a variety of business areas, including anime, live-action productions, video games, and live music events. Avex Pictures is the producer and distributor of both anime and live-action productions, with notable titles including Yuri on Ice, Zombie Land Saga, and Fruits Basket. The company additionally manages a popular J-Pop roster, including talents Ayumi Hamasaki, and internet sensation PikoTaro.
Source: Official Press Release
Recommended Post