Hi, AICN Anime's Scott Green here GKIDS, a distributor of independent films for family and art-house audiences, and the European sales agent Celluloid Dreams recently announced that GKIDS has acquired US distribution rights to Irish director Tomm Moore's animated film THE SECRET OF KELLS, the new animated film. See Jeremy W. Kaufmann's guest review here. An Academy qualifying run is set for Dec 4-10 at the AMC Burbank 8 in Los Angeles. Showtimes are 7 PM on weekdays and 2 PM on weekends. The film will be released theatrically in the US in March 2010. AICN is fortunate to have two pairs of tickets to the Saturday show at 2 PM, December 5th (see update below). The special screening will feature a post-show Q&A with director Tomm Moore. If you're interested, sent an e-mail with the subject "Secret of Kells" to animecontest@gmail.com by midnight eastern time December 4th. Winners will be notified by e-mail. SYNOPSIS: Magic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes, in this sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan lives in the Abbey of Kells, a remote medieval outpost, where he works to fortify the abbey walls against barbarian raids. One day a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him beyond the abbey's walls and into the enchanted forest, where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan's determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil? THE SECRET OF KELLS is a France/Belgium/Ireland co-production of Les Armateurs, Viva Film, Cartoon Saloon and France 2 Cinema and features the voices of Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter, In Bruges), Evan McGuire and Christen Mooney. The deal for THE SECRET OF KELLS was negotiated by Eric Beckman for GKIDS and Hengameh Panahi for Celluloid Dreams.

Update:

Director Tomm Moore's appearance has had to be moved from Saturday December 4th to the 2pm show on Sunday, December 5th. Winners will be contacted on Thursday night. If you receive an e-mail, please respond with your preference as to whether you'd like to attend the Saturday or Sunday screening by Friday afternoon.