Annecy Premiere Feature ‘Another World’ Acquired by GKIDS

GKIDS has picked up North American rights for another Annecy Festival selection, announcing a deal for the Hong Kong-produced animated feature Another World. The stylish afterlife adventure is based on the modern Japanese fantasy novel Sennenki -Thousand-year Journey of an Oni-  by Saijo Naka.

Another World is screening in Annecy’s Midnight Specials section.

Synopsis: After death, before reincarnation, the souls of the deceased transit through a fantastical realm known as, Another World. Gudo is a spirit that helps to guide these transient souls to their reincarnation. While guiding a young girl named Yuri, he learns that humans have emotions that he does not understand. Tasked by Goddess Mira to help Yuri control her rage and prevent her transformation into a monster, Gudo embarks on a perilous mission.

Another World is the feature directorial debut of Tommy Kai Chung Ng, a character designer and art director at Point Five Creations Production who has previously helmed shorts including the award-winning Tale of the Rebellious Stone, Shi Wai and Modin. The screenplay was written by Polly Yeung Po Man of Point Five Creations, who also produced alongside Gin Kai Chan of Silver Media Group.

Speaking to Variety, Ng said of the film’s central characters, “When faced with truths too heavy to bear, they falter. They grieve, they rage — and they cling to the unresolved questions in their hearts. That stubbornness, that unwillingness to let go, has the power to destroy them … but it also fuels their strength. It becomes the fire that lights their path forward, even in darkness.”

GKIDS plans to release Another World theatrically across North America as well as handle home entertainment distribution, with details to be announced. Currently the film is screening in Cantonese with subtitles.

The deal was negotiated between Rodney Uhler of GKIDS, Chan Gin Kai of Silver Media and Polly Yeung of Point Five Creations.

[Source: Variety]