Vue Lumière Announces The UK & Irish Release Date For The Charming Animated Film Little Amélie
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Carl Roberts 
The charming animated film, Little Amélie, is coming to UK & Irish cinemas from Vue Lumière. Get all the details here.
Following last week’s Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, UK/IE distributor Vue Lumière is delighted to announce that LITTLE AMÉLIE has also been shortlisted for the 2026 EE BAFTA FILM AWARDS. This is in the Best Animated Film category.
The film has now racked up over 45 international awards, nominations, and long-list mentions, with more on the way. LITTLE AMÉLIE is a heartfelt, independent animated feature adapted from the best-selling memoir by one of Belgium’s most acclaimed authors, Amélie Nothomb.
CRITICAL PRAISE
The film has received universal critical acclaim, with such great notices as:
‘Exquisite and moving… an unforgettable moviegoing experience.’ – TIFF 2025
‘It’s hard not to be charmed by its warm existentialism (in a children’s film, no less) and its belief that the greatest wisdoms can be found in the way a child sees and learns.’
– New York Times: Critics Pick
‘Terrence Malick meets Hiyao Miyazaki for tykes, combining playful subjectivity with surreal flights of fancy… but simple enough for any kid to follow.’ – The Hollywood Reporter
‘Similar emotional wavelength as recent genre classics like Boyhood or Lady Bird but [also] belongs to a different universe altogether’ – IndieWire
‘Marks the arrival of truly talented filmmakers’ – The Wrap
‘A timeless and essential tale’ – Next Best Picture
‘Brims with feeling for every precious moment’ – Wall Street Journal
‘One of the year’s best animated films’ – Collider
We recently saw the film ourselves. Sadly, we cannot share our own reviews yet, but we can share our initial thoughts on the film. Our editor, Phil Roberts, had this to say about the film:
Liane-Cho Han Jin Kuang’s #LittleAmelie is a visually stunning piece of anime cinema.
With its emotional beats, contemplative narrative and breathtakingly soothing animation, the film is a captivating and rare treat from start to finish. It’s a major awards season contender.
I myself had this to say about the film:
#LittleAmelie is a wonderfully charming, heartwarming, emotional and winning Anime film that is a joy to watch.
The narrative is engaging, the story is touching, and the animation is breathtaking.
This is one film that deserves to win awards across the board.
A must-see.
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
The film has won several awards and received numerous nominations since its initial release in France.
Nominee – 98th Academy Awards 2026 – Best Animated Film
Longlist – British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) – Best Animated Film
Nominee – British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) – Best Children’s & Family Film
Nominee – Golden Globe Awards 2025: Best Motion Picture – Animated
Nominee – European Film Awards, Berlin 2025 – European Film Award & European Animated Feature Film
Winner – Best Animation, Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Winner – Audience Award, Annecy Animation Festival 2025
Winner – Audience Award for Best European Film, San Sebastián International Film Festival 2025
Winner – Grand Jury Prize, Animation Is Film
Winner – Best Art Concept, ReA Festival
Winner – Special Jury Prize, MULT Festival
Winner – Grand Prize and Coconomics Award, 28th Bucheon International Animation Festival
Winner – Best Feature Film, Manchester Animation Festival
Winner – Grand Audience Award, European Film Academy Selection, Festival de Sevilla
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain will be in UK & Irish cinemas on February 13th.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
