The 36th Edition of Flanders International Film Festival Gent, Belgium October 6 through 17, 2009 will feature Anime as part of it's salute to the world of Asian cinema. A highlight of the festival will be a retrospective from the renowned Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli founded in 1985 by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata . Miyazaki, the creative force behind many of Studio Ghibi's films, has been able to transcend cultural boundaries with his themes of ethics, pacifism, and the relationship between humans and nature and his films are as well loved in the West as they are in Asia. The films by Hayao Miyazaki to be screened at the festival are: Castle in the Sky (1986), Spirited Away (2001), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), and Ponyo On the Cliff By te Sea (2008). I must admit that I am sad to see that Porco Rosso, my personal favorite, won't be shown. I would love a chance to see the mighty pig fly across the big screen again.
Each year along with the 12 days of screenings the festival mounts an exhibition at the Carmelite Friary - Provincial Center of Art and Culture. This year's Anime exhibit will feature 100's of original drawings, 3D objects, and film clips from such internationally renowned films as Akira, Princess Mononoke and Osamu's classic Astro Boy character, and computer games such as Final Fantasy and Pokeman. Over the past few years the Flanders International Film Festival has screened an increasing amount of animation. Last year both Bill Plympton's Idiots and Angels and Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues were screened, and Nik was invited to introduce Sita when it was shown. There was also a limited selection of short animated films screened before some of the films in competition. Now that more adult, serious animated films are being produced I hope that the festival will continue this trend and I encourage animators to submit their work. To find out more about the festival, rules for entry, and other special events that will take place during the festival go to: filmfestival.be
