Animation festival sure to draw a crowd

Lincoln City’s Bijou Theatre presents a return trip to the magical worlds of Hayao Miyazaki with its We Love Studio Ghibli 2 festival, running from Thursday, April 24, through Wednesday, April 30.

Back by popular demand after last year’s popular run, the festival celebrates the visionary filmmaker often dubbed “the Japanese Walt Disney” with a trio of beloved films spanning decades of storytelling and artistry.

Audiences can take to the skies with “Porco Rosso,” a World War I-era adventure following a daring flying ace; experience the Academy Award-winning fantasy “The Boy and the Heron;” and revisit the gentle charm of “My Neighbor Totoro,” a longtime favorite for kids and families.

Known for breathtaking hand-drawn animation and richly layered storytelling, Miyazaki’s films blend imaginative worlds with emotional depth, often weaving in themes of nature, resilience and the human spirit. The festival offers a chance to see these works as they were meant to be experienced — on the big screen.

Screenings will run throughout the week with alternating showtimes. All films will be presented in English, with one screening of each title offered in the original Japanese with English subtitles.

The Bijou Theatre is located at 1624 NE Hwy. 101. For more information, go to cinemalovers.com.