Film distributor GKIDS announced today that their award-winning and surprise Oscar nominated animated feature The Secret of Kells by director Tomm Moore will open theatrically at New York’s IFC Center on March 5, which is Oscar weekend.

This New York opening at IFC Center will be followed by a previously- announced opening in Boston on March 19 (tied into St. Patrick’s day for the Irish film), and an April 2 expansion to major US markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and others.

Last week, The Secret of Kells garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. The distributor’s word-of-mouth Oscar campaign capitalized on audience passion to create a groundswell of support for The Secret of Kells . The nomination is a major accomplishment for an independent feature in a year with many well-regarded commercial animated releases.

GKIDS President, Eric Beckman said, “We’re still reeling from the news of the Oscar nomination and are thrilled at the opportunity to open the film in New York over Oscar weekend. Audience reaction has been simply phenomenal and it is wonderful that New York families and animation lovers will be the first in the country to discover The Secret of Kells.”