It has been announced that Hayao Miyazaki’s presumed final film, “The Boy and the Heron,” from Studio Ghibli, will open the 48th Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday, September 7th, at Roy Thomson Hall. This marks the first time a Japanese or animated film has opened the Toronto International Film Festival.
“We are honored to open the 48th Toronto International Film Festival with the work of one of cinema’s greatest artists,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. “Already acclaimed as a masterpiece in Japan, Hayao Miyazaki’s new film begins as a simple story of loss and love and rises to a staggering work of imagination. I look forward to our audience discovering its mysteries for themselves, but I can promise a singular, transformative experience.”
The screening will be the International Premiere of the film due to already having its theatrical world premiere in Japan. The film achieved strong reviews and is being released without any promotion, marketing materials, or film description. GKIDS will distribute “The Boy and the Heron” in North America in theaters later in the year, but that date has not yet been determined.
The 48th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7th-17th. The Special Presentations & Gala lineup for TIFF 2023 can be read here, along with the Documentary lineup here.
What do you think of this announcement? Are you excited to see “The Boy And The Heron?” What other titles do you think will screen at this year’s TIFF? Are you planning on going? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our Twitter account.
