Indie distributor GKIDS has acquired the North American distribution rights to Mary and the Witch’s Flower, the inaugural feature from Japan-based Studio Ponoc.
The film is directed by Academy Award-nominee Hiromasa Yonebayashi (Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty and When Marnie Was There) and is produced by Studio Ponoc founder and two-time Academy Award-nominee Yoshiaki Nishimura (Studio Ghibli’s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There).
GKIDS distributed Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There, both of which were nominated for an Academy Award for best animated feature.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower was written by Riko Sakaguchi, based on Mary Stewart’s 1971 children’s book The Little Broomstick. It tells the story of a young girl named Mary, who discovers a flower that grants magical powers, but only for one night.
A winter release is planned. The deal was negotiated by Mike Runagall for Altitude Film Sales and Eric Beckman for GKIDS.
