SALA News:

SALA brings Studio Ghibli Festival 2025 to the community for the first time, a celebration of timeless animation, unforgettable stories, and breathtaking artistry from the legendary Japanese animation house, Studio Ghibli.

Presented in partnership with GKIDS and Fathom Events, this year’s festival honors Studio Ghibli’s 40th anniversary with a handpicked lineup of eight beloved films from the studio’s rich catalog — now featuring Kiki’s Delivery Service as the festival’s magical opening event!

For fans old and new, this is a rare opportunity to experience the magic of Ghibli films on the big screen at SALA. With two showtimes for each film (2 p.m. & 6 p.m.), audiences can immerse themselves in these animated masterpieces throughout the year.

2025 Lineup and Synopses:

• May 18: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) – A charming coming-of-age tale from Hayao Miyazaki about Kiki, a young witch who leaves home to start her own delivery service in a seaside town. With her black cat Jiji by her side, Kiki discovers independence, friendship, and the power of believing in herself.
• June 22: The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) – Celebrate the 15th anniversary of this beautifully animated tale, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. Arrietty, a tiny girl living secretly in the walls of a suburban home, forms a forbidden friendship with a human boy, risking everything to protect her family’s secret world.
• July 20: My Neighbor Totoro (1988) – A heartwarming classic from Hayao Miyazaki, this film follows two young sisters who discover magical creatures in the forest near their new country home — including the gentle forest spirit Totoro. A story of childhood wonder and nature’s quiet magic.
• August 10: Grave of the Fireflies (1988) – Directed by Isao Takahata, this emotional masterpiece tells the poignant story of a brother and sister struggling to survive in war-torn Japan. Deeply moving and visually stunning, it’s a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict.
• August 24: Ponyo (2008) – In this whimsical ocean adventure by Hayao Miyazaki, a goldfish princess longing to become human befriends a young boy, sparking magical changes in the world around them. Ponyo is a colorful and joyful celebration of friendship and nature.
• September 21: Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) – Sophie, a young woman cursed by a witch, finds refuge in a magical moving castle owned by the mysterious wizard Howl. A visually dazzling tale of love, courage, and transformation directed by Miyazaki.
• October 19: Spirited Away (2001) – This Academy Award®-winning film follows Chihiro, a girl who becomes trapped in a magical spirit world and must find her courage to rescue her parents. A masterpiece of imagination and heart, directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
• November 16: The Boy and the Heron (2023) – New to the Studio Ghibli Fest lineup, this Oscar®-winning feature is Hayao Miyazaki’s latest visionary work. Blending fantasy and autobiography, it tells the story of a boy who enters a fantastical realm to find healing after loss.

Tickets available soon at sala.losalamos.com

SALA Los Alamos Event Center – your home for art, culture, and community. Join us as we celebrate the brilliance of Studio Ghibli and its legendary storytellers. From soaring castles to underwater kingdoms, prepare to be transported.