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Wolfie the Pianist Anime Named Cannes Official Selection
posted on by Egan Loo
Wolfie the Pianist, the animated short based on Mari Ishida's Ōkami-kun wa Pianist picture book, has been announced as an Official Selection of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival's Short Film Corner. Director Toshiki Iwahori and Studio 4°C (The Animatrix, Tekkonkinkreet, Genius Party) animated this 15-minute short about a wolf who receives a letter begging him to play the piano. Wolfie journeys across the world to find the mysterious sender, all while playing his piano wherever he goes.
The short has already played at Spain's 2007 Sitges Film Festival, 2007 International Short Film Festival Berlin, 2008 Festival International du Court-Métrage de Clermont-Ferrand, 2008 Big Muddy Film Festival, and 2008 Philadelphia Film Festival (website). Japan's Rights Entertainment produced the work.
Although many anime titles have been screened at the separate Director's Fortnight or Marché du Film trade market at Cannes every year, only a few have screened as Official Selections in the Cannes Film Festival itself. Those few have included Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell film and his Innocence sequel, which also competed for the Palme D'Or grand prize. Last May, the Variety entertainment trade newapaper listed Studio 4°C co-founder Eiko Tanaka among the 60 people who will shape the future of the Cannes Film Festival.
Source: animeanime.jp
Image © Mari Ishida, Shinpūsha, Rights Entertainment, Toshiki Iwahori
© Rights Entertainment
