The July 10 entry in the official Studio Ghibli blog, "Itsumo no Ghibli Nikki" ("The Habitual Ghibli Diary"), has revealed the studio's plans to open its next theatrical feature film next year. The studio's last feature film, Ponyo, opened in Japanese theaters last July. Studio Ghibli has been producing a feature-length film every two years since 2002's The Cat Returns. Before that, studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki directed Spirited Away in 2001, and fellow co-founder Isao Takahata directed My Neighbors the Yamadas in 1999.

A November 27, 2008 blog entry had reported that Miyazaki discussed plans for two feature-length films over the next three years with his studio staffers. According to the entry, Miyazaki had emphasized that the two new feature-length works will have young staffers at their core. The studio is already working on a new short for the Ghibli Museum. Ponyo will open in North American theaters on August 14.

Source: Nausicaa.net