Anime film "Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo" brought home the award for best animated feature at the 39th Sitges International Film Festival of Catalonia (October 6-15).

Established in 1968, the International Film Festival of Catalonia brings together fantasy films from throughout the world, allowing audiences to see the latest trends and techniques in speculative motion picture filmmaking.

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda and produced by Studio Madhouse, "Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo" was nominated and received the ANIMA'T category award for the best full-length film. Other Japanese films shown at this year's event included "Gin-iro no Kami no Agito", "Paprika", and "Tachiguishi-Retsuden". Anime displayed at past years' events include such notable titles as "Tokyo Godfathers", "Steamboy", and "Final Fantasy VII Advent Children".

"Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo" is based on Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel, a book which has been gifted with enduring popularity since its original release in 1965. While a number of live-action film adaptations have been produced over the years, this year's film is the first anime version. The story deals with the adventures of 17-year-old high school girl Makoto Konno. When an incident at a railway crossing grants her the ability to travel through time, she uses her newfound powers to get rid of life's frustrations and satisfy her own whims, with unexpected consequences.

The films director, Mamoru Hosoda, has previously worked on the "Digimon Adventure" movie as well as ONE PIECE the Movie: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. Character design was handled by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, of Neon Genesis Evangelion manga and character design fame. Studio Ghibli regular Nizou Yamamoto worked as art director, and the movie itself was produced by Studio Madhouse. Past Madhouse hits include DEATH NOTE, Saiunkoku Monogatari, NANA, Chobits, Tenjho Tenge, Juubei-chan, Oku-sama wa Joshi Kousei, Galaxy Angel, and Vampire Hunter D.

"Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo" is currently showing in theaters throughout Japan.

* International Film Festival of Catalonia

* Feature Animation Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo

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