Short answers, pulled from the story.
Eric Beckman established GKIDS in 2008 within New York City. The company name stands for Guerrilla Kids International Distribution Syndicate, a phrase that hints at its independent spirit.
GKIDS managed North American releases of three new Studio Ghibli films including From Up on Poppy Hill in 2013, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya in 2014, and When Marnie Was There in 2015. They also handled first-time North American releases of Only Yesterday and Ocean Waves in 2016 and released Grave of the Fireflies on Blu-ray and DVD by the 8th of July 2025.
Earwig and the Witch received just 28% making it the lowest-rated title as of June 2023. Other titles with lower scores include Mia and the Migoo at 38% and Tales from Earthsea at 37%.
Toho announced their intent to acquire GKIDS for an undisclosed amount on the 15th of October 2024. The deal was completed in 2025 with GKIDS officially becoming a subsidiary of Toho International.
The 2017 festival featured My Neighbor Totoro screening on June 25 and 26, Kiki's Delivery Service playing July 23 and 24, Castle in the Sky appearing August 27 and 28, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind following September 24 and 25, Spirited Away screening October 29 and 30, and Howl's Moving Castle closing out the year November 26 and 27.