GKIDS Aquire Ernest and Celestine: A Trip To Gibbertia

2023 marks the 15th Anniversary of GKIDS Films. In that time the boutique animation specialist label has brought the best in animation from Japan, Europe and further afield to audiences in North America. The company has this week has announced it has acquired all United States distribution rights for Ernest and Celestine: A Trip To Gibbertia.

The film is the sequel to the Oscar-nominated Ernest and Celestine which GKIDS released nearly 10 years ago. Released in France back in December, it went on to be nominated for the Cesar Award for Best Animated Feature.

It focuses again on the titular bear and mouse duo, this time returning to Ernest's hometown in Gibbertia.

The film is directed by Jean-Christophe Roger, director of the Ernest & Celestine The Collection TV series and Julien Chheng who worked as a character animator on the first feature. Chheng has also been named as a director of one of the segments in the upcoming Star Wars Visions Volume 2.

GKIDS will release the film theatrically both in original French language and English dubbed versions later this year. The film will receive its US Premiere as part of the New York International Children's Film Festival on March 3.

The deal was negotiated between GKIDS and StudioCanal.

"After 10 years it's wonderful to reunite with my favorite Bear and Mouse, Ernest and Celestine", said David Jesteadt, GKIDS CEO. " Ernest and Celestine: A Trip To Gibbertia is full of the emotional warmth, comedy and stunning animation that made the original so iconic. Films of this quality are increasingly rare. and we are honored to be able to partner again with the producers on a new chapter with the beloved characters"

"We are thrilled to team up with GKIDS again and on the new adventures of Ernest and Celestine: A Trip To Gibbertia. We know their incredible team will bring all of their talent and passion to releasing this film in US theatres spreading the values of kindness and friendship that are so important to our beloved mouse and bear!" says StudioCanal's Chloé Marquet.

SYNOPSIS

Ernest and Celestine return in this delightful and joyous follow-up to their first Academy Award®-nominated adventure, which introduced a bear and mouse as the unlikeliest of friends. Ernest remains an ursine troubadour dedicated to a life of music and art, and his constant grouchiness is softened by the creative whims of his mouse friend Celestine. When she accidentally breaks his beloved violin, they must take a long voyage to Ernest’s country of Gibbertia, home to the only artist who can repair it. But when they arrive, they are shocked to discover that all forms of music have been banned in Gibbertia for many years, and a land once known across the world for its incredible musicians has fallen silent. It is up to Ernest and Celestine and their new friends, including a mysterious masked outlaw, to bring music and happiness back to the land of bears