'The First Slam Dunk' UK Premiere Set For Edinburgh International Film Festival

The Edinburgh International Film Festival is one of the UK's most prestigious film events. It has hosted the premiere of numerous animated films over the years. And now it has been announced that it will host the UK premiere of one of the most eagerly anticipated anime films of the year.

The First Slam Dunk is based on the hugely popular 90s manga Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue, serialised in the iconic Shonen Jump magazine. The film is produced by Toei Animation, and written and directed by Inoue, making his feature debut.

The film follows the exploits of the underdog Shohoku High School’s basketball team, through the eyes of point guard Ryota Miyagi.  As they enter The National High School Tournament they face formidable opposition, as we simultaneously explore the tumultuous pasts of its protagonists.

Inoue is said to bring his creative vision 30 years in the making to the screen, with a unique perspective rarely found in cinema. The film boasts cutting-edge animation that combines CG animation and hand-drawn animation. The result is apparently some of the most exhilarating basketball sequences ever made- animated or otherwise.

The First Slam Dunk has been a massive success since its first release in Japan last December. It has so far taken more than $262 million worldwide, making it the 5th highest grossing anime film of all time. It also won Animation Of The Year at the Japan Academy Prizes as well as the Okawa-Fukiya Award at the Niigata International Animation Festival.

The film will screen at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 22-23 August. It will screen in Japanese language with English subtitles. Anime Limited will release the film in UK and Ireland on August 30, both with subtitles and with an English dub.

Buy tickets for the premiere here or find a screening near you here.

GKIDS Films will release the film in the United States on July 28.