June 23, 2015

Keiichi Hara new animated feature film, Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai was greeted with the Jury Award in the Official Feature Film Competition of the 39th Annecy Animation Film Festival, held in Annecy, France from June 15 to 20, 2015.

The jury, composed by director and producer Marge Dean, film critic Guillemette Odicino and producer Valérie Scherman, decided unanimously with the following motivation: "For the magnificent celebration of an independent woman and the power of art and creativity"

In receiving the trophy, director Keiichi Hara dedicated the recognition to the late author of the original comic book, Hinako Sugiura: "I hope you can see this from where you are. We did it!"

Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai is based on the original manga, Sarusuberi (literally: Crape Myrtle) by Hinako Sugiura, and it is scripted by Miho Maruo (Colorful). Main staff includes character designer and chief animator Yoshimi Itazu (Denno Coil, The Wind Rises, Dreaming Machine) and background artist Hiroshi Ono (A Letter to Momo, Wolf Children). Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai opens in Japanese theatres on May 9, 2015, followed by France and UK later this year.

Actress and model Anne is having her debut as voice actress in animation in the role of Hokusai's daughter O-Ei, and the ending song ¿Dónde quiere estar mi alma viajera? is written and performed by Sheena Ringo.

Established in 1960, the Annecy Animation Film Festival is the world's oldest and most prestigious animation film festival. This year, the festival received 2605 entries from 95 countries, of which 73 were feature films. Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai is one of the 8 titles that made it to the feature films official competition. The screening at Annecy marks the film's international premiere.

In 2011, Keiichi Hara's previous animated film Colorful was greeted in Annecy with the Jury's Special Distinction and the Audience Award.

Screening schedule:
Date: June 15, 2015 (Mon)
Time: 18:00
Place: Pathé 1
French subtitles

Date: June 16, 2015 (Tue)
Time: 18:00
Place: La Turbine
French subtitles

Date: June 17, 2015 (Wed)
Time: 10:30
Place: Bonlieu Grand Salle
English subtitles
Introduction with director Keiichi Hara

Date: June 18, 2015 (Thu)
Time: 17:00
Place: Pathé 4
English subtitles

Date: June 18, 2015 (Fri)
Time: 21:30
Place: Pathé 4
English subtitles

Date: June 19, 2015 (Fri)
Time: 16:00
Place: MJC Novel
French subtitles

Annecy 2015 official website:
http://www.annecy.org/home/

© 2014-2015 Hinako Sugiura•MS.HS / Sarusuberi Film Partners