Film Distributor GKids Signs US Theatrical Distribution Pact with Studio Ghibli

[media-credit name=”Studio Ghibli” align=”aligncenter” width=”470″][/media-credit]Hollywood trade rag Variety reports that theatrical distributor GKids has signed a new distribution deal with Studio Ghibli that will allow it to distribute the animation studio’s current film library to theaters in the US. The new deal also includes non-theatrical distribution rights, such as digital, video on demand and streaming, but current home video distributor Disney via Buena Vista will still retain home video rights to the 13 film library.

The new agreement includes English-dubbed and subtitled versions of the 13 films produced between 1984 and 2002 and will begin with the 10- and 25-year anniversary screenings of “Spirited Away” and “Castle in the Sky” respectively at the New York Film Fest being held later this year. New York’s IFC Center will also feature a Studio Ghibli retrospective from Dec. 16 to January 12th, with additional retrospective events to be held in the U.S. and Canada during the first half of 2012. Finally, GKids is also planning limited releases of select Ghibli films never before seen in US theaters beginning in late 2012.