Little Amélie or the Character of Rain Opens in Theaters in Fall | Trailer

Based on Amélie Nothomb’s bestselling novel The Character of Rain, the animated feature Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (Amélie et la Métaphysique des tubes) brings to life a magical journey in post-war Japan through the eyes of a very young girl.

The feature directorial debut of Maïlys Vallade (The Lighthouse Keeper; layout and storyboard artist on I Lost My Body and Calamity) and Liane-Cho Han (animation director on Calamity and Long Way North), Little Amélie or the Character of Rain made its World Premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It went on to premiere as an Official Selection in Competition at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Festival, where it took home the prestigious Audience Award. The film continues its festival run, making its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, before screening as an Official Selection at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, and at BFI London Film Festival.

Later in the Fall, it opens in select U.S theaters starting October 31st before expanding nationwide on November 7th.

Here is the synopsis: In Japanese culture, the ages of three, five, and seven hold special significance, symbolizing stages of growth and development as children transition from early childhood to greater maturity. Until they hit these milestones, children are considered closer to that of a god than that of a fully fledged human. Amélie is a little Belgian girl born in Japan. Thanks to her friend and caretaker Nishio-san, life is a succession of adventures and discoveries. But on her third birthday, a single event changes everything, as she takes her first steps into adulthood. Because, for Amélie, this is the age where everything hangs in the balance: joy and the despair of grief.

When asked how did the film come about, co-director Liane-Cho Han said, “I read the book The Character of Rain, when I was 19, I wasn’t a huge literature fan but this book in particular deeply moved me. That’s when the dream of adapting it began to take root.”

Co-director Maïlys Vallade added, “And in 2018, when we were working together again on Calamity, Liane-Cho gave me the book as a gift”

Watch the official trailer for Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, above.