GKIDS Sets U.S. Release For Festival Favorite ‘Little Amélie Or The Character Of Rain’

GKIDS has announced that Little Amélie or The Character of Rain, the directorial debut of Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, will open in select U.S. theaters on October 31 before expanding nationwide on November 7. The company released a new trailer to mark the occasions, seen below:

The film, adapted from Amélie Nothomb’s autobiographical novel Amélie et la Métaphysique des tubes, has been making waves on the international festival circuit. It premiered at Cannes before screening in competition at Annecy, where it captured the coveted Audience Award and was one of the buzziest titles among attendees.

Other upcoming stops include San Sebastian and the BFI London Film Festival, with its North American premiere set for next week at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film is directed by Vallade and Han, who co-wrote with Aude Py and Eddine Noël, the latter also serving as art director. It’s produced by Nidia Santiago and Edwina Liard (Ikki Films) and Claire La Combe and Henri Magalon (Maybe Movies).

Set in post-war Japan, the film follows young Amélie, a child who views the world as a mysterious, serene puzzle until a chance encounter with chocolate sparks her awakening to curiosity. Through her growing bond with the family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, Amélie begins to explore both the natural world and the emotional undercurrents within her family’s seemingly idyllic life abroad.

Little Amélie or The Character of Rain‘s standout visual style and themes of discovery and family connection promise to resonate with audiences drawn to auteur-driven features, animated or otherwise.

The new U.S. poster and trailer were unveiled alongside the release announcement, signaling a major push for what GKIDS is positioning as one of its prestige titles heading into awards season.