ACMI presents
Whisper of the Heart
耳をすませば
Tickets
All orders incur $1 online booking fee which will be added to your cart. ACMI Members don't pay fees, join today.
When
Sun 20 Sep – Thu 24 Sep 2026
A bookish teenager's ordinary summer takes a curious turn in Studio Ghibli’s coming-of-age story written by Hayao Miyazaki.
Inquisitive Shizuku is a bookworm. She is spending her last summer holiday in junior high school reading, with aspirations to one day become a writer. When she notices that the same person has checked out all of her books before her, she decides they must be soulmates! Shizuku sets out to find him.
In between chasing a large cat and befriending an eccentric antiques dealer, she meets a mysterious figure who inspires her to write her first novel.
Curator’s note
Based on the manga of the same name and written for the screen by Hayao Miyazaki, Whisper of the Heart is a coming-of-age story about creativity and finding the confidence to pursue one’s ambitions.
Unlike some of the other Studio Ghibli films, this story remains firmly grounded in everyday life, showing how ordinary moments can shape who we are. Whisper of the Heart finds quiet beauty in the everyday, making Shizuku's story feel both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Kondō’s sole directorial effort is a masterpiece uncovering so much potent pathos from understated corners of life.
Join our newsletter
Be the first to hear about upcoming exhibitions, films, events and special offers.