Studio Ghibli fans rejoice! The popular ‘Spirited Away: The Films of Studio Ghibli’ retrospective is back at the TIFF Lightbox Dec. 13th, 2013 to Jan 3rd, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario. Kicking off the series is a talk with director, Guillermo del Toro on December 12th, 2013. Del Toro will be giving an extended introduction to Miyazaki’s artistry and lead a discussion following the screening of ‘Castle in The Sky’. *

“The showcase pays homage to the studio’s legendary Japanese animation team led by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, its trademark animation style, powerful storytelling, and deeply felt humanism.”

–TIFF

Highlighting one of Japan’s most influential animation studios, TIFF Cinematheque has curated a collection of 18 of Studio Ghibli’s greatest films, a blend of new 35-mm films and digital prints which when combined create some of the most astonishingly beautiful imagery. Featured are popular titles like the Academy Award winning, ‘Spirited Away’ and fan favourites, ‘Princess Mononoke’, ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ and ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’. Also featured are ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’, a touching and remarkable film created by Hayao Miyazaki and his son, Goro. For the first time ever TIFF is also presenting the beloved but rarely screened ‘Grave of Fireflies’; considered by many to be the greatest animated film of all time.

Audiences will be able to see all of the films in two versions, the original language film with subtitles and their dubbed counterparts that include voice acting from an extensive list of A-list actors including Billy Crudup, Amy Poehler, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes and Tina Fey.

*Tickets for this are sold out so if you want ‘em we highly recommend arriving REALLY early for rush tickets, which will be available 10 minutes prior to the opening.

Tickets go on sale on December 4th for TIFF members and December 11th for the Public.

Lauren Schell

@TIFF_NET, #StudioGhibli