The Directorial Debut of Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han
Comes to Theaters Nationwide Starting November 7
A Cannes, San Sebastian, BFI London & Toronto International Film Festival Official Selection, and Annecy Audience Award Winner
Academy Award®-winning producer and distributor GKIDS announced today it will bring LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN (original title in French: Amélie et la Métaphysique des tubes) to theaters nationwide starting November 7th. Prior to its nationwide expansion, the title will open in select markets starting October 31st.
The feature directorial debut of Maïlys Vallade (The Lighthouse Keeper; layout and storyboard artist on I Lost My Body and Calamity) and Liane-Cho Han (animation director on Calamity and Long Way North) made its World Premiere in the 2025 Cannes Film Festival as an official selection in the Special Screenings section. The film went on to premiere as an Official Selection in Competition at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Festival, where it took home the prestigious Audience Award. Next week, LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN will hold its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, before additionally screening as an Official Selection in the Perlak Section at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, and as an Official Selection at BFI London Film Festival.
The world is a perplexing, peaceful mystery to Amélie until a miraculous encounter with chocolate ignites her wild sense of curiosity. As she develops a deep attachment to her family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, Amélie discovers the wonders of nature as well as the emotional truths hidden beneath the surface of her family’s idyllic life as foreigners in post-war Japan.
Adapted from the autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb and brought to life in the completely original animated style of directors Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN tells a tender, poignant and visually stunning story about the healing power of human connection.
LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN
Directors: Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han
Producers: Nidia Santiago and Edwina Liard (for Ikki Films), Claire La Combe and Henri Magalon (for Maybe Movies)
Screenwriters: Liane-Cho Han, Aude Py, Maïlys Vallade, and Eddine Noël
Cast: Loïse Charpentier, Victoria Grobois, Laetitia Coryn, Yumi Fujimori, Marc Arnaud, and Emmylou Homs
Art Director: Eddine Noël
Editor: Ludovic Versace