Lonely Castle in the Mirror Heads to Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2023

The official website for the anime film adaptation of Mizuki Tsujimura's fantasy novel Lonely Castle in the Mirror has announced that the film is included in 11 titles competing for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2023's Crystal award for feature films. This year's festival is scheduled to be held in France from June 11 to 17.

Previous Japanese anime films that have won the highest award in the feature film category include Porco Rosso (Hayao Miyazaki / 1993), Pom Poko (Isao Takahata / 1995), and Lu over the wall (Masaaki Yuasa / 2005).

The Keiichi Hara (Crayon Shin-chan films, Birthday Wonderland)-directed and A-1 Pictures (Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Sword Art Online)-animated film was released in 307 theaters across Japan on December 23, 2022, then ranked No.1 on Filmarks' first day satisfaction ranking with an average rating of 3.94/5.0 based on 455 reviews. Its total domestic gross reportedly reached one billion yen (7.47 million USD).

Director Keiichi Hara' 2010 film Colorful won the Audience Award and Special Distinction prize at the festival in 2011, and his 2015 film Miss Hokusai received the Jury Award. The film7s official website writes that The Lonely Castle in the Mirror is also expected to receive an award. The official screening of the film is scheduled for Monday, June 12.

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アヌシー国際アニメーション映画祭
　　　 ????正式出品決定????
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映画『#かがみの孤城』が#アヌシー国際アニメーション映画祭の
コンペティション部門に
選出・正式出品されることが決定????️✨

公式上映は現地時間で
6/12(月)を予定しています????https://t.co/PQmhMaCBk1
— 映画『かがみの孤城』公式 (@kagami_eiga) April 27, 2023

Trailer for the US screenings (the summer of 2023):

Synopsis:

Shy outcast Kokoro has been avoiding school for weeks when she discovers a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through and finds herself transported to an enchanting castle where she is joined by six other students. When a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have been invited to play a game, the teens must work together to uncover the mysterious connection that unites them. However, anyone who breaks the rules will be eaten by a wolf. From acclaimed director Keiichi Hara (COLORFUL, MISS HOKUSAI) and based on the bestselling novel by Mizuki Tsujimura, Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a heartfelt drama about the pains of growing up and the unlikely bonds that can bring people together.

Also, the film's time-limited special screenings are planned to be held in Japan from May 26. In addition to the film's original edition, a newly edited footage "The Before and After Lonely Castle in the Mirror" will also be screened for the first time. This screenings will be held not only on regular screens, but also in the Dolby Cinema screens.

Special screening trailer: