Studio Ponoc, the animation studio founded by former Studio Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura and director Hiromasa ‘Maro’ Yonebayashi, have just announced the English cast for their first features film, Mary and the Witch’s Flower.

Taking the role of the title character, Mary, is Ruby Barnhill, who recently starred in Steven Spielberg’s The BFG. Joining her in this charming film is Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet (Titanic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) as Madam Mumblechook, the principal of the magic academy, and Jim Broadbent (Paddington, Bridget Jones’s Baby) as Doctor Dee, a magical scientist.

Other cast members include Louis Ashbourne Serkis (Alice Through the Looking Glass, Jungle Book), Ewen Bremner (Wonder Woman, Jack the Giant Slayer, Trainspotting), Lynda Baron (Open All Hours), Rasmus Hardiker (Black Mirror, Ronja: The Robber’s Daughter), Teresa Gallagher (Cars 2) and Morwenna Banks (Peppa Pig: My first Cinema Experience).

The screenplay to this heartwarming film is written by Riko Sakaguchi (The Tale of Princess Kaguya) in collaboration with Yonebayashi. The English screenplay adaption was written by David Freedman and Lynda Freedman, with English producers Geoffrey Wexler and executive producer Will Clarke.

Based on The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart, this film is an outstanding first feature for Studio Ponoc. Combining spirited action, engaging characters and a thrilling story with the unique richness, art and animation of Studio Ghibli-style storytelling, Mary and the Witch’s Flower reveals the exciting and surprising adventure of Mary in the magical world of a school of magic that is not quite what it seems.

If you haven’t already seen the trailer, make sure you check it out. You will also be able to see the trailer at cinemas before selected films in Celebrate Studio Ghibli festival.

With this exciting announcement, we are more excited than ever to bring Mary and the Witch’s Flower to Madman Anime Festival Melbourne 2017 (November 3-4), and to cinemas across Australia and New Zealand soon!