The English-language premiere of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated Ponyo will be the closing film of this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival.
The film, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen tale ‘The Little Mermaid,’ is being distributed in the United States by Disney and is set to open Aug. 14. The English version features the voices of Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, Betty White and Frankie Jonas.
The festival, which runs June 18-28, also will feature a number of animated films in its shorts program. Highlights include:
Bill’s Visitors, directed by Simon Deshon
The Cable Car, directed by Claudius Gentinetta, Frank Braun
Codswallop, directed by The Brothers McLeod
I Live in the Woods, directed by Max Winston
Photograph of Jesus, directed by Laurie Hill
Rains (L’ondee), directed by David Coquard-Dassault
The Royal Nightmare, directed by Alex Budovsky
Skhizein, directed by J’r’my Clapin
Stand Up, directed by Joseph Pierce
Western Spaghetti, directed by PES
The festival also will feature the following animated music videos:
Her Morning Elegance: Oren Lavie
Ruler of Everything: Tally Hall
21st Century Life: Sam Sparro
Grapevine Fires: Death Cab for Cutie
Fortress: Pinback
Who’s Gonna Save My Soul: Gnarls Barkley
Mykonos: Fleet Foxes
The festival, organized by the nonprofit group Film Independent, is in its 15th year and plans to show more than 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries at this year’s festival.
Festival passes are available now, with tickets to individual screenings going on sale May 29. For ticket info, screening schedules and locations, call 866.FILM.FEST (866.345-6337) or visit LAFilmFest.com.
