New York, NY – October 5, 2010 – GKIDS Inc, a distributor of award-winning filmed entertainment and producer of the New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival, announced today the digital release of the graphic novel version of Tomm Moore’s acclaimed 2010 Academy Award® nominated Best Animated Feature, THE SECRET OF KELLS. The comic adaptation published by GKIDS was written and drawn by Kells creator and long time comic artist Tomm Moore, from the animated feature film directed by Tomm Moore and the screenplay by Fabrice Ziolkowski.
The October 5 graphic novel release is timed day-and-date with the release of THE SECRET OF KELLS motion picture on DVD, Blu-ray, VOD and digital platforms by GKIDS and home video distributor New Video.
The full-color, 110-page, graphic novel will be available on the Comics by comiXology platform for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and the web ($4.99 download). A free 22-page preview app features “Prequel 1: Brendan,” telling the origins of the main character, Brendan, and his rescue from barbarian attacks as a young child. In addition to the prequel story, the free preview app features additional sample pages from the full graphic novel, a link to download the film on iTunes, and four extended video clips from the movie.
THE SECRET OF KELLS graphic novel will be introduced at the 2010 Comic Convention in New York City by Tomm Moore, with a demonstration at the New Video booth (#1665) on October 9. Tomm Moore will also be appearing on a panel October 10 with Secret of Kells art director Ross Stewart, where he will discuss the creative process behind the animation of the film.
THE SECRET OF KELLS is the stunningly beautiful mythical adventure by Tomm Moore, which garnered a surprise 2010 Academy Award® Nomination for Best Animated Feature even before its U.S. release. All other nominees in the category were major studio pictures. The independent feature film opened theatrically March 2010, breaking the box office record at New York’s IFC Center, and went on to open 200 markets theatrically and garner rave critic reviews for its visual splendor and uplifting story.
DAY AND DATE RELEASE – Both the graphic novel and the animated movie will captivate audiences of all ages with astounding imagery and a universally-powerful story. THE SECRET OF KELLS will be released on DVD and Blu-ray October 5 by New Video and will also be distributed day-and-date on video-on-demand (VOD) and on digital platforms via New Video’s partners.
“Critics Pick! Extraordinary” – NY Times
"Four Stars! Ravishing! Glorious!” – LA Times
“Dazzling! A Magical Adventure Unlike Anything Seen on Screen Before.” – USA Today
SYNOPSIS – Magic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes, in this sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan (Evan McGuire) lives under the care of his uncle Abbot Cellach (Brendan Gleeson), in a remote medieval outpost under siege from raiding barbarians. One day a celebrated master illuminator (Mick Lally) arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest, where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling (Christen Mooney), a mysterious young wolf- girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan's determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil? The motion picture is a France/Belgium/Ireland co-production of Les Armateurs, Vivi Film, Cartoon Saloon and France 2 Cinema.
ABOUT GKIDS
GKIDS is a distributor of award-winning filmed entertainment. Theatrical releases include Tomm Moore’s animated Oscar® nominee The Secret of Kells, Michel Ocelot’s acclaimed Azur & Asmar, in partnership with the Weinstein Company, and Nina Paley’s multiple-festival-winning 100% Fresh animated feature, Sita Sings the Blues. Upcoming GKIDS releases include European Film Award winner Mia and the Migoo, by Jacques-Remy Girerd and Japan Academy Prize winner Summer Wars by Mamoru Hosoda. GKIDS also produces the New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival, North America’s largest festival of film for children and teens, with jury members Frances McDormand, Uma Thurman, John Turturro, Susan Sarandon, Gus van Sant, James Schamus, and Matthew Modine. The GKIDS.TV website is a place where children, teens, and adults can watch, rate, review, buy and share award-winning film and animation from around the world.
About comiXology
Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel, DC, BOOM! Studios and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts nearly 3000 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.
http://www.comixology.com/
Contact: Dave Jesteadt, Rebecca Linde (212) 528-0500, dave@gkids.com, rebecca@gkids.com Hi-res images available for download at www.kellscomic.com
The October 5 graphic novel release is timed day-and-date with the release of THE SECRET OF KELLS motion picture on DVD, Blu-ray, VOD and digital platforms by GKIDS and home video distributor New Video.
The full-color, 110-page, graphic novel will be available on the Comics by comiXology platform for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and the web ($4.99 download). A free 22-page preview app features “Prequel 1: Brendan,” telling the origins of the main character, Brendan, and his rescue from barbarian attacks as a young child. In addition to the prequel story, the free preview app features additional sample pages from the full graphic novel, a link to download the film on iTunes, and four extended video clips from the movie.
THE SECRET OF KELLS graphic novel will be introduced at the 2010 Comic Convention in New York City by Tomm Moore, with a demonstration at the New Video booth (#1665) on October 9. Tomm Moore will also be appearing on a panel October 10 with Secret of Kells art director Ross Stewart, where he will discuss the creative process behind the animation of the film.
THE SECRET OF KELLS is the stunningly beautiful mythical adventure by Tomm Moore, which garnered a surprise 2010 Academy Award® Nomination for Best Animated Feature even before its U.S. release. All other nominees in the category were major studio pictures. The independent feature film opened theatrically March 2010, breaking the box office record at New York’s IFC Center, and went on to open 200 markets theatrically and garner rave critic reviews for its visual splendor and uplifting story.
DAY AND DATE RELEASE – Both the graphic novel and the animated movie will captivate audiences of all ages with astounding imagery and a universally-powerful story. THE SECRET OF KELLS will be released on DVD and Blu-ray October 5 by New Video and will also be distributed day-and-date on video-on-demand (VOD) and on digital platforms via New Video’s partners.
“Critics Pick! Extraordinary” – NY Times
"Four Stars! Ravishing! Glorious!” – LA Times
“Dazzling! A Magical Adventure Unlike Anything Seen on Screen Before.” – USA Today
SYNOPSIS – Magic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes, in this sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan (Evan McGuire) lives under the care of his uncle Abbot Cellach (Brendan Gleeson), in a remote medieval outpost under siege from raiding barbarians. One day a celebrated master illuminator (Mick Lally) arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest, where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling (Christen Mooney), a mysterious young wolf- girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan's determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil? The motion picture is a France/Belgium/Ireland co-production of Les Armateurs, Vivi Film, Cartoon Saloon and France 2 Cinema.
ABOUT GKIDS
GKIDS is a distributor of award-winning filmed entertainment. Theatrical releases include Tomm Moore’s animated Oscar® nominee The Secret of Kells, Michel Ocelot’s acclaimed Azur & Asmar, in partnership with the Weinstein Company, and Nina Paley’s multiple-festival-winning 100% Fresh animated feature, Sita Sings the Blues. Upcoming GKIDS releases include European Film Award winner Mia and the Migoo, by Jacques-Remy Girerd and Japan Academy Prize winner Summer Wars by Mamoru Hosoda. GKIDS also produces the New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival, North America’s largest festival of film for children and teens, with jury members Frances McDormand, Uma Thurman, John Turturro, Susan Sarandon, Gus van Sant, James Schamus, and Matthew Modine. The GKIDS.TV website is a place where children, teens, and adults can watch, rate, review, buy and share award-winning film and animation from around the world.
About comiXology
Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel, DC, BOOM! Studios and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts nearly 3000 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.
http://www.comixology.com/
Contact: Dave Jesteadt, Rebecca Linde (212) 528-0500, dave@gkids.com, rebecca@gkids.com Hi-res images available for download at www.kellscomic.com