Animation Is Film Adds Pinocchio, One Piece Film Red

 

A little while ago we learned of the line-up for this year's Animation Is Film Festival in Hollywood. And very impressive it is too, featuring several premieres and early screenings. We also learned that for the first time ever, the festival would be expanding to a second weekend, which would feature the awards ceremony and an additional secret screening

We have now learned just what the screenings is. The closing film will be none other than a Special Screening of Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. The much anticipated stop-motion will be screening at the festival alongside fellow Netflix Animation films Wendell and Wild and My Father's Dragon. The film will be accompanied by a filmmaker Q&A featuring del Toro himself.

Pinocchio is directed by del Toro and Mark Gustafson and had a long road to the screen. It was originally cancelled by its initial studio, but Netflix came to the rescue. It features an all-star voice cast including Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Finn Wolfhard,  John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Cate Blanchett, Christoph Waltz and Tilda Swinton.

"In both spirit and action, Guillermo del Toro exemplifies the Animation Is Film mission -- a filmmaker of the highest order embracing animation as a cinematic artform of the highest order.  Bringing Pinocchio to life has been the filmmaker’s passion and labor for over 20 years. We are honored and humbled beyond words that he has chosen to unveil it to US audiences at Animation Is Film.  Thank you Guillermo!!!!”  said AIF founder Eric Backman

Also newly announced is One Piece Film Red, which will screen as the festival's centrepiece on September 22.  This will be the world premiere of the English dubbed version of the film.

Film Red is the landmark 15th film in the One Piece franchise and marks the 25th Anniversary of creator Eiichiro Oda's original manga. The story delves into the past of the legendary pirate Shanks- hero/mentor of main character Monkey D. Luffy.

Uta—the most beloved singer in the world whose voice has been described as "otherworldly"—is renowned for concealing her own identity when performing. Now, for the first time ever, she will reveal herself to the world at a live concert.  With the Navy watching closely, the venue fills with Uta's fans—including excited pirates and the Straw Hats led by Luffy, who simply came to enjoy her sonorous performance—all eagerly awaiting the voice that the whole world has been waiting for to resound. The story begins with the shocking revelation that she is the enigmatic Shanks' daughter

For more information and to get your tickets visit the festival website here. Exclusive Offer: Get 20% Off all tickets with the code ANIMATIONFORADULTS