GKIDS has acquired US rights to Irish director Tomm Moore’s animated film The Secret Of Kells.

The France-Belgium-Ireland co-production from Les Armateurs, Viva Film, Cartoon Saloon and France 2 Cinema played in official selection at Berlin and features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire and Christen Mooney.

The film will be released theatrically in the US in March 2010 and a qualifying run has been set for December 4-10 in Burbank, Los Angeles.

The Secret Of Kells charts the adventures of a youngster from a remote medieval outpost who is tasked to complete a magical illuminated book that may help to repel an advancing barbarian horde.

GKIDS’ Eric Beckman brokered the deal with Hengameh Panahi for Celluloid Dreams.

GKIDS, a longtime producer of the New York International Children’s Film Festival, recently released Michel Ocelot’s Azur & Asmar in partnership with the Weinstein Company, and Nina Paley’s animated film Sita Sings The Blues.