GKIDS now holds the rights to distribute “Another World,” an upcoming animated fantasy movie from Hong Kong, in North America. This film is set to debut for the first time ever at the 2025 Annecy Animation Festival this week.
For the first time in more than two decades, an animated feature from Hong Kong is being showcased in the distinguished Midnight Specials section at Annecy, with “My Life as McDull” being the last such screening, which took place in 2003.
Tommy Ng Kai Chung’s first directorial effort, ‘Another World,’ is adapted from the Japanese novel “Sennenki” by Saijo Naka. The script and production are handled by Polly Yeung Po Man, with Chan Gin Kai lending his expertise as a co-producer.”
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“In ‘Another World,’ directed by Tommy Ng Kai Chung for the first time, we see the adaptation of the Japanese novel ‘Sennenki’ by Saijo Naka. Polly Yeung Po Man is responsible for writing and producing the film, with veteran filmmaker Chan Gin Kai contributing as a co-producer.
The tale revolves around Gudo, a guiding spirit facilitating reincarnation, and his adventure alongside a youthful girl named Yuri. They jointly face a concealed affliction steeped in unresolved fury, which looms as a potential catastrophe, capable of annihilating both the tangible and immaterial realms.
Erica Chon, GKIDS’ content director, stated that “‘Another World’ is a compelling and emotional journey through life and death, boasting breathtaking visuals that highlight the exceptional skill of emerging Hong Kong artists. The film combines mind-boggling action scenes with sensitive storytelling, and we can’t wait to share Director Ng’s impressive directorial debut with North America.
In a thoughtful manner, director Ng portrayed his characters as deeply human and complex. “When confronted with truths that are too burdensome, they stumble. They mourn, they fume—and they hold onto the unanswered questions within them,” he explained. “This tenacity, this refusal to let go, has the potential to annihilate them… yet it also fuels their resilience. It kindles a flame that illuminates their way forward, even in the darkest of times.”
Director Ng depicted his characters as deeply human and complex. “When faced with truths too heavy to bear, they falter. They grieve, they rage—and they hold onto the questions that remain unanswered in their hearts,” he said. “That persistence, that unwillingness to let go, can bring about their destruction… but it also provides them with the strength needed to carry on. It serves as a beacon of light guiding them forward, even in the darkest hours.
Screenwriter and producer Yeung highlighted the film’s significance in today’s society. She explained, “In a world overflowing with rage and disillusionment, exacerbated by the harsh words and divisive views we encounter daily on social networks, anger seems to spread faster than any other emotion.” She continued, “As creators, our goal is to harness the power of animation to alleviate the frustration viewers carry within them, and hopefully transform their anger into action for change.
In his statement, Producer Chan emphasized the collaborative aspect of the project and the youthfulness of its creative team. He expressed his attraction towards both the narrative and the exceptional abilities of Tommy and Polly. “Another World” is a joint effort from artists hailing from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, France, and the Philippines. With an average age of 28 among the team members, it’s inspiring to witness such young creators weaving an emotionally rich and visually captivating tale. I feel privileged to be associated with a project that serves as a platform for a new breed of storytellers, reaching out to a global audience.
Further details about the release, such as its theatrical debut and home video distribution, will be disclosed at a future time. The movie is currently in Cantonese with subtitles; it remains undecided if an English-dubbed version will accompany its initial theater screenings.
As I pen this movie review, let me clarify that the intricate dealings behind bringing this cinematic gem to our screens were handled by none other than Rodney Uhler from GKIDS, Chan Gin Kai at Silver Media, and Polly Yeung of Point Five Creations. These industry titans worked tirelessly to ensure we could all enjoy this masterpiece on the big screen.
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2025-06-10 16:17