The American Cinematheque presents: Walt Disney Studios Presents A Studio Ghibli Production HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

The American Cinematheque presents: Walt Disney Studios Presents A Studio Ghibli Production HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

WHAT: American Cinematheque SPECIAL SCREENING and Q&A PANEL of Walt Disney Studios' and Studio Ghibli's HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE.

WHO: Panel scheduled to include English version voice Directors Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and Rick Dempsey, Producer Ned Lott, Screenwriters Cindy and Don Hewitt ("Spirited Away"), & screen legend and two-time Oscar(R) nominee Jean Simmons ("Spartacus").

WHEN: THURSDAY, JUNE 9th 6:30 pm Press check-in 7:00 pm Panel begins 7:30 pm Screening begins

WHERE: THE EL CAPITAN THEATER 6838 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood

CONTACTS: Ryan Stankevich 818-560-2219 Kerry McAleer 818-560-2002

Academy Award(R)-winning director Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") takes moviegoers on an amazing new animated adventure that celebrates the power of love to transform and the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Brimming with a blend of imagination, humor, action, and romance, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE recently played to great acclaim at the 2004 Venice Film Festival, and has become one of the biggest blockbusters of all time in Japan. The film has already earned more than $200 million at the international box office.

A distinguished cast of actors, under the direction of Pixar's Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and Disney's Rick Dempsey, lend their vocal talents to this English-language version of the film. Sophie (voiced by EMILY MORTIMER), an average teenage girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome-but-mysterious wizard named Howl (voiced by CHRISTIAN BALE), and is subsequently turned into a 90-year old woman (voiced by screen legend and two-time Oscar(R) nominee JEAN SIMMONS) by the vain and conniving Wicked Witch of the Waste (voiced by screen legend and Oscar(R) nominee LAUREN BACALL). Embarking on an incredible odyssey to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl's magical moving castle where she becomes acquainted with Markl, Howl's apprentice, and a hot-headed fire demon named Calcifer (voiced by BILLY CRYSTAL). Sophie's love and support comes to have a major impact on Howl, who flies in the face of orders from the palace to become a pawn of war and instead risks his life to help bring peace to the kingdom. Extraordinary characters, inventive imagery, and stunning artistry make this latest masterpiece from the visionary Miyazaki an unforgettable film going experience.

YOUR COVERAGE IS INVITED - YOU MUST CALL IN ADVANCE FOR TICKETS AND CREDENTIALS.

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE is rated PG and opens in select cities on Friday, June 10, 2005.

PRNewswire -- June 6

Source: Walt Disney Studios

CONTACT: Ryan Stankevich, +1-818-560-2219, or Kerry McAleer, +1-818-560-2002, both of Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, for Walt Disney Studios

------- Profile: Ent