GKIDS to Release Sophomore Film by ‘The Secret of Kells’ Director

Irish director Tomm Moore made big waves when he was nominated by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for The Secret of Kells in 2010. It was his first feature film and he has since been working none stop on Song of the Sea which was released in the UK earlier this year. Thanks to GKIDS, the film will begin to screen in New York City, and Toronto beginning on December 19th before opening wide across the country.

Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal-child – who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land. Song of the Sea features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny. Music is by composer Bruno Coulais and Irish band Kíla, both of whom previously collaborated on The Secret of Kells.

GKIDS’ website has their official version of the trailer which you can find here. But we were able to get this slightly more extended trailer via Cartoon Brew:

GKIDS, which also distributed The Secret of Kells, has been doing an amazing job of selecting some of the most beautiful, and intriguing stories that independent animation currently has to offer, which is evident in Song of the Sea. Upon watching the trailer, you are immediately enraptured in the mystique of the world Tomm Moore has created, which is paired very nicely with the sweetly melancholic Irish tones in the music.

A word of caution if you decide to go down the rabbit hole of youtube looking for any more on The Song of the Sea: Apparently there is a French trailer that gives the whole story away. I refuse to watch it and will wait dutifully until December 19th before I even look for more information.

Via Cartoon Brew.

Does this look like a great follow up to ‘Secret of Kells’? Do you think this film will automatically get nominated for an Oscar? Why? Sound off below!