MUMBAI: Distributor of indie films for family and art house audiences, GKIDS has acquired US distribution rights of the animated film The Secret of Kells.

A France/Belgium/Ireland co-production of Les Armateurs, Viva Film, Cartoon Saloon and France 2 Cinema, the movie about a magical quest features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire and Christen Mooney has been directed by Tomm Moore.

The film is set to receive an Academy-qualifying run from 4 to 10 December at the AMC Burbank 8 in Los Angeles and will be released theatrically in America in March.

An official selection at the Berlin International Film Festival, Kells had its US premiere at the New York International Children's Film Festival and also was the first animated feature to win the Audience Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival.