Final Films Announced for Anime Film Festival Touring Australia Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: reelanime.com Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment are proud to announce the final two films in the REEL ANIME 2013 program -- GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE and THE GARDEN OF WORDS. GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE (?????ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL-, Kookaku Kidootai Araizu -Goosuto In Za Sheru-, 2013) In GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE, Motoko Kusanagi -- cyborg and hacker extraordinaire from the military’s 501st Secret Unit -- finds herself wrapped up in the investigation of a devastating bombing. In the first of four all-new OVA (original video animation) installments from the renowned Production I.G. -- caretakers of the GHOST IN THE SHELL legacy -- GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE marks a long-awaited return to the beloved GITS universe, and offers a thrilling new prequel story arc involving Motoko Kusanagi and her future Section 9 colleagues. Upon its release in 1995, Mamoru Oshii and Production I.G.`s GHOST IN THE SHELL made a huge impact, not only with anime aficionados, but also with those in cyberpunk and cinephile circles. Along with the 2004 sequel, GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE and the GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX TV series, GITS has spawned a legion of fans worldwide, and remains one of the world`s most respected and enduring science fiction anime staples. THE GARDEN OF WORDS (?????, Kotonoha no Niwa, 2013) Between the raindrops, between the calm in the storm -- what will blossom between these two in THE GARDEN OF WORDS? When young student Takao decides to skip school in favour of sketching shoe designs in a rainy garden, he has no idea how much his life will change when he encounters Yukino. Older, but perhaps not much wiser, Yukino seems adrift in the world. Despite the difference in their ages, they strike up an unusual and unexpected relationship, which continues to blossom, without planning, and always in the same garden on a rainy day. But the rainy season is coming to a close, and there are so many things still left unsaid and undone between them. Will there be time left for Takao to put his feelings into actions and words? The latest work from acclaimed filmmaker, Makoto Shinkai (5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND, CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES), THE GARDEN OF WORDS is an emotional, calming and beautifully measured work that examines a chance encounter between two lonely people, showcasing all the superlative hallmarks that the remarkable filmmaker has come to be well regarded for across the globe. Screening as a double bill, GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE and THE GARDEN OF WORDS join EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO, 009 RE:CYBORG and A LETTER TO MOMO in a stellar theatrical line up of the best new animated feature films direct from Japan. REEL ANIME 2013 will screen in selected cinema locations across Australia during October. Venues and sessions to be confirmed closer to the event. For more details please visit reelanime.com.

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About Madman

Madman is a leading independent film and television distribution and rights management company, with offices in Australia and New Zealand. Madman is renowned for its commitment to quality Australian and foreign film, factual content, as well as highly collectable categories such as Japanese anime, genre film, animation and cult television. Madman`s capabilities encompass end to end acquisition, marketing, creative, sales and distribution in all mediums and formats, from the silver screen to the digital realm. Madman is also a proud producer of Australian film and television content. Put simply, Madman is mad for entertainment. Madman is owned by Funtastic Limited, one of Australia`s largest wholesalers of consumer products into retail outlets and an Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) listed company.

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For more information on REEL ANIME 2013 please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan:

• EVANGELION: 3.0 Headlines REEL ANIME 2013
• 009 RE: CYBORG Announced as Second Film for REEL ANIME 2013
• BERSERK MOVIE 2 to Screen at REEL ANIME Special Events in July
• A LETTER TO MOMO Confirmed for REEL ANIME 2013