Filmmaker Q&A, World Premiere

Blue Eye Samurai

October 21, 2023 8:00 pm - Auditorium 1

In-person Q&A with Creators/Writers/Exec Producers Michael Green & Amber Noizumi and Supervising Director, Jane Wu

Animation Is Film is proud to present this exclusive WORLD PREMIERE of the first episode of Netflix’s hotly anticipated new series, Blue Eye Samurai.

This provocative and visually stunning cinematic series immerses the viewer in a world of vivid adult animation with a live-action edge. Set in Edo-period Japan, BLUE EYE SAMURAI follows Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine), a mixed-race master of the sword who lives a life in disguise seeking the deliverance of revenge. TV-MA.

Filmmaker Q&A, World Premiere

Oni: Thunder God’s Tale

October 22, 2022 11:45 am

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Q&A with Creator/Director Dice Tsutsumi, and Producers Robert Kondo, Sara K. Sampson, Kane Lee, and Momona Tamada (“Onari”).

Animation Is Film is immensely proud to present the theatrical World Premiere of the 4-episode series on Netflix Anime from the visionary team at Tonko House.

In a world filled with the oddball gods and monsters of Japanese mythology, one of the creature’s free-spirited daughters, Onari, is determined to follow in the footsteps of the mighty heroes of lore, but her unique powers are yet to be revealed. Does she have what it takes to protect her peaceful village from the encroaching presence of the mysterious “Oni” who threaten the gods? Presented in partnership by CAPE and Gold House.

World Premiere

Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom

October 21, 2022 8:00 pm

The Gold Kingdom and the Water Kingdom had a long, troubled history filled with epic battles before they decided to take the drastic steps of building a wall between the two lands. But 100 years later, they make good on an agreement in hopes of bringing stability to all. The rulers from each land had decided that the Gold Kingdom would offer the most beautiful girl in their kingdom as a bride, to be wed to the most clever man from the Water Kingdom, creating not just a couple but the promise of renewed relations and peace.

When it comes time for the rulers to make good on their promise, neither is entirely honest or admirable in their attempts. The Gold Kingdom offers Sara, a kind-hearted, but homely princess while the Water Kingdom marries off Naranbayar, a lanky scholar of modest background. To add insult to injury, the two separately find themselves with a dog (for Sara) and a cat (for Naranbayar) as their partner-to-be. As Sara and Naranbayar individually navigate the palace schemes of their respective homelands, their paths soon converge in a heartwarming new spin on the classic fairytale set-up.

Kotono Watanabe’s feature debut is a feel-good romance filled with adventure and lovable characters. With playful humor and charming designs, it’s not hard to find something to treasure within Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom.

Filmmaker Q&A, World Premiere

Titina

October 23, 2022 1:30 pm

Q&A with Director Kajsa Næss

Italian airship engineer Umberto Nobile lives a peaceful life in Rome with his beloved rescue dog, Titina. Umberto’s peaceful life is uprooted when the famed Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, befriends and hires him to make an airship capable of embarking on the dangerous journey to the North Pole. With trusty Titina by their side, the two make history after they return from the treacherous trail but success has bitter side effects and soon the two men are embattled over their newfound fame. Their insatiable thirst for glory threatens their friendship as they test the limits of just how far they can go.

Based on the real life story that captured the hearts and headlines of Europe in the 1920s, Titina employs artful, graphic animation to capture the majesty of a world not just seen from the sky but also through the eyes of an instantly-lovable four-legged adventurer.