ALI PICTURES is advancing its strategic cooperation with Studio Ghibli, presenting a combination of film and performance to showcase the classic animations of Hayao Miyazaki.

On March 14th, Hayao Miyazaki's new work "What Kind of Life Do You Want to Live" was officially announced to be released in mainland China on April 3rd. The film has just won the Best Animated Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards and is confirmed to be introduced to mainland China. This is another Miyazaki animation work to win an Oscar after "Spirited Away," and it is also the fastest Miyazaki film to be introduced to mainland China. On the same day as the film's release in mainland China, the Ghibli Studio immersive art exhibition, the first stop globally, will also be announced to land in Shanghai in April this year, with the exhibition period from April 12, 2024, to October 31.

"What Kind of Life Do You Want to Live" is a brand-new work by director Hayao Miyazaki after a 10-year hiatus. The film tells the story of a boy who lost his mother meeting a talking heron and embarking on an incredible adventure. Previously, the film has achieved outstanding box office results and good reputation overseas, becoming the highest-grossing original Japanese animated film in North America and the best-selling film by Studio Ghibli in North America. It has also won numerous awards such as Best Animated Film at the 81st Golden Globe Awards, "Top Ten Films of the Year" at the 2023 National Board of Review Awards, and "Best Animated Film" at the 49th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards.

In January this year, Alibaba Pictures and Studio Ghibli reached a strategic cooperation agreement. Toshio Suzuki, representative director and producer of Studio Ghibli, and Li Jie, President of Alibaba Pictures, announced their intention to sign a cooperation plan for this film. The anticipation from mainland audiences for the film has grown stronger. The rapid introduction of this film is undoubtedly a huge surprise for movie fans.

It is worth mentioning that in addition to animated films, the strategic cooperation between the two parties also includes cooperation plans in various fields such as immersive exhibition development. Authorized by Studio Ghibli and jointly organized by Alibaba Pictures' exhibition production label "Art Exhibition Hongtu" and the copyright introduction company Co., Ltd., the Ghibli Studio immersive art exhibition, the first stop globally, will officially start in April this year. This is Studio Ghibli's first attempt at developing and exploring immersive exhibitions. Alibaba Pictures' platform Damai has been deeply cultivating the live entertainment field for many years, accumulating rich platform resources and performance operation experience. Its exhibition investment brand "Art Exhibition Grand Plan" is dedicated to providing professional services to the art and exhibition industry through the planning and investment in high-end art exhibitions, presenting high-quality artworks to art enthusiasts and consumers, and bringing art closer to more people. The global premiere of the immersive art exhibition "Studio Ghibli's World of Stories" not only signifies another in-depth layout of "Art Exhibition Grand Plan" in the high-quality art exhibition investment field but also demonstrates Alibaba Pictures' coverage of both film and performance dual business scenarios, leveraging the unique advantage of diversified content development through the linkage of film and performance.

It is reported that this exhibition will center around the classic animated works of Studio Ghibli, integrating technology and art to present the world of Hayao Miyazaki's animations in an immersive, multi-sensory manner. In addition to the real-life restoration of Miyazaki's classic animated works such as "Spirited Away," "My Neighbor Totoro," "Howl's Moving Castle," and "Porco Rosso," previously unreleased stills from the film "How Do You Live?" will also be exhibited globally for the first time.

Industry experts believe that the mainland introduction of "How Do You Live?" and the development and landing of the Studio Ghibli immersive art exhibition will further drive innovation and integration in the artistic presentation of animated works, bringing audiences a new experience. It will also serve as a friendly link to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Japan.