Perhaps it would be best to think of God as a tube…
Today, to mark the opening of ticket sales for the acclaimed French animated feature Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, distributor GKIDS has shared a first-look clip which explores our curious young protagonist’s view of the beginning of time, and the nature of God. The footage also answers questions moviegoers may have about the film’s original title, Amélie et la Métaphysique des tubes.
GKIDS will release the film in theaters nationwide starting November 7, following a debut in select markets starting October 31. Tickets for all screenings are on sale now.
The feature directorial debuts of animation artists Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han (Calamity: A Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary, Long Way North, The Little Prince) premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Special Screening section, and went on to win Audience Awards at Annecy and San Sebastian. Just yesterday, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain was announced as the Grand Prize winner of Animation Is Film in Los Angeles.
The film held its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and also screened in the Official Selection at BFI London Film Festival. Upcoming screenings are set for Rome Film Festival, Bucheon International Animation Film Festival and Tokyo International Film Festival.
Synopsis: The world is a perplexing, peaceful mystery to Amélie until a miraculous encounter with chocolate ignites her wild sense of curiosity. As she develops a deep attachment to her family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, Amélie discovers the wonders of nature as well as the emotional truths hidden beneath the surface of her family’s idyllic life as foreigners in post-war Japan.
Adapted from the autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb and brought to life in the completely original animated style of directors Mailys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain tells a tender, poignant and visually stunning story about the healing power of human connection.
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain is produced by Nidia Santiago and Edwina Liard (for Ikki Films), Claire La Combe and Henri Magalon (for Maybe Movies); written by directors Han and Vallade alongside Aude Py and art director Eddine Noël; edited by Ludovic Versace. The voice cast is led by Loïse Charpentier (Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds) as Amélie, Victoria Grobois as Nishio-san, Laetitia Coryn, Yumi Fujimori, Marc Arnaud (Little Nicholas – Happy as Can Be) and Emmylou Homs (Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight).
Last week, GKIDS additionally announced that Little Amélie or the Character of Rain audiences will be treated to companion screenings of the new Cartoon Saloon short film, Éiru, directed by studio veteran Giovanna Ferrari and produced by Academy Award nominee Nora Twomey (The Breadwinner). The 2D short has played at numerous festivals around the world and won several prizes, including the Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation (Best Short Film – Silver) at Fantasia International Film Festival.
Read more about the making of Little Amélie or the Character of Rain and Éiru in the December ’25 / Award Season Kick-Off issue of Animation Magazine, available soon.
