Animated Film Festival this weekend in Hollywood

A1 Digital India News: Japan House Los Angeles is partnering with the 2024 edition of the Animation Is Film Festival, which runs Friday through Sunday, Oct. 18-20, at the TCL Chinese 6 Theater at Ovation Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood.

Produced by animation distributor GKIDS in collaboration with the Annecy International Film Festival and Variety, the Animation Is Film Festival aims to highlight animation as a global art form. "Continuing our successful collaboration over the years, we are once again working as a community partner to promote the Japanese films and filmmakers featured at this popular festival and are offering an exclusive 25% discount code (JapanHouse-24) dedicated to introducing them," Japan House said in a statement in Los Angeles.

This year's festival features a rich selection of Japanese films, including many American and American films. In a special event coinciding with the premiere, director Naoko Yamada ("The Colors Within") was invited to talk about the state of animation as an industry and present a live drawing session held at Japan House Los Angeles.

From a colorful teenage romance ("The Colors Within") to a cult classic anime film ("Redline"), from the story of an adorable supernatural cat ("Ghost Cat Anju") to a dark and intriguing mystery ("Mononoke the Movie"), from ": Ghost in the Rain"), and a documentary tribute to iconic animator Hayao Miyazaki ("Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature"), join us to immerse yourself in the magic and creativity of Japanese animation on the big screen.

Naoko Yamada of "A Silent Voice" and "Liz and the Blue Bird" fame returns to theaters with her latest exploration of adolescence, "The Colors Within." Totsuko is a happy girl who has a unique secret: she can see the "colors" of others. This form of synesthesia paints Totsuko's conversations in beautiful, expressive pastels and leads her to focus her attention on one color in particular.

Totsuko's classmate Kimi, who plays guitar at school, has the best sense of color out of everyone. With hopes of forming a band, Totsuko and Kimi befriend Rui, a nice guy they meet at a local bookstore. Together, while practicing singing in an old church on a remote island, the three grow closer, sharing their secret fears and dreams for the future. Together, will they be able to embrace the true "color"?

A rare personal conversation and live drawing session with the AIF Opening Night filmmaker. Watch Yamada's creative process in real time as he shares his insights into the animation scene today with Animation Is Film programmers. This unique conversation offers a comprehensive look at the animation landscape from one of its biggest stars, perfect for fans and aspiring animators seeking behind-the-scenes knowledge of a dynamic industry.

The race kicks off with the 15th anniversary of Takeshi Koike's "Redline" with this special screening of the iconic anime classic film. Every five years, Redline, an illegal, galactic, no-holds-barred racing tournament, takes place in a mysterious location that is revealed moments before the opening whistle. This year's destination is Roboworld, a dangerous planet under the control of a militant government determined to stop the tournament by any means necessary.

Sweet JP, a daredevil intent on winning, and Sonoshi McLaren, a rising star on the circuit, compete in an attempt to reach the Gold Line by beating the mob, the government and other bloodthirsty racers. A wildly thrilling and visually inventive ride from Studio Madhouse and winner of the Utopian Audience Award at the Locarno International Film Festival, “Redline” is a theatrical experience like no other.