Sony Pictures Classics has released their official US trailer for The Red Turtle – the highly anticipated first feature from animator Michaël Dudok de Wit. Co-produced by Studio Ghibli, the film won a special jury prize at Annecy – and will get a one week award qualifying run in LA (at the NuArt) and in NY on November 18th. A general release will commence on January 20th. Take a look:

The feature is a co-production between Ghibli, Wild Bunch, Why Not Productions, Belvision, Arte France Cinema and CN4 Productions. Paris-based Prima Linea is oversaw the animation production.

The storyline revolves around a man marooned on a desert island whose attempts to escape on a raft are thwarted by a giant turtle that sinks the makeshift craft. Dudok de Wit co-wrote the screenplay with director and screenwriter Pascale Ferran (Lady Chatterley, Bird People). I believe we are looking at a strong competitor for the Oscar here…