The 30th annual Fantasia International Film Festival has recognized Masanao Kawajiri’s upcoming original feature, Cherry and Virgin, with a Special Mention of the Jury. The film, which debuted its world premiere during the festival's Animation Plus section, was honored under the Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation category.
This recognition arrives as the project gears up for a wider release in 2027. The film has had a lengthy development cycle, having been initially announced back in 2021 with an original target release of 2022. The jury's nod at the Montreal-based festival serves as a significant milestone for the production as it moves toward its public debut.
Fantasia has become a major hub for international animation premieres this year, showcasing a diverse slate including the CloverWorks collection Grotesqqque and the latest Junji Ito adaptation, Strange: Junji Ito's Tales for Sleepless Nights. The Satoshi Kon Award for Best Animated Feature was ultimately presented to Jean-Paul Guigue and Dimitri Planchon’s Blaise.
