Family Time: Mary and the Witch’s Flower U

This film is F-Rated

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From the archive

This film was last shown on 31 August 2024

Sheffield Film Festival’s Family Time strand is themed around a “staycation”, celebrating the local area as the destination for a summer of cinematic adventures!

All the Family Time films in August take place in or were inspired by locations within travelling distance of Sheffield, in the North and Midlands, endeavouring to remind you that some of the best stories take place right on your doorstep!

While spending the last weeks of summer with her Great-Aunt Charlotte in the Northern English countryside, Mary follows a mysterious cat into the nearby woods. There she stumbles upon a flower that has magical powers and transforms a little broomstick into one that flies. Mary is whisked away, high above the clouds, and transported to Endor College – a school of magic!

Inspired by the 1971 British novel The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart, this 2017 adaptation by Studio Ponoc (founded by Studio Ghibli alumni) reimagines the quaint English countryside through the lens of a fantastical and visually stunning Japanese anime.

Mary and the Witch’s Flower is rated U, as it contains very mild threat. For fans of Harry Potter, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Wolfwalkers.

The film will be played in its original Japanese language with English subtitles.

Family Time screenings are relaxed and feature subtitles and low-level lighting for accessibility and comfort for all. All tickets are £5. Please find more information about Family Time here.

F-Rated: Based on the novel by Mary Stewart