During a press event at the Venice Film Festival this weekend, Koju Hoshino, president of Studio Ghibli, announced that beloved animation director Hayao Miyazaki will be retiring and that The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu) will be his last film. The Wind Rises is in the feature film competition at the Venice Film Festival.
Miyazaki, who is 72, was not in attendance at the film festival or at the press event. After the announcement, Hoshino did not take any questions but said that there will be a press conference with Miyazaki next week in Tokyo. “He wants to say goodbye to all of you,” said Hoshino.
Miyazaki began his career as an animation artist in the early 1960s. He co-founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 where he has been an artist, producer, writer and director. He has directed 11 animated motion pictures. His 11th and now last film The Wind Rises opened in Japan earlier this year to huge critical and box office acclaim. The Wind Rises will make its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. An English-language version of the film will be distributed in the U.S. by the Walt Disney Studios.
Sources: Variety, Hollywood Reporter
Animation Fascination 
Extremely sad news!
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