The film was produced without clear intentions for its release . " W e did n’t make '' The Dam Keeper '' to enter festivals , we just wanted to make a film . But once it was done we wanted to share it " , Tsutsumi said . The film was rejected by the first few festivals that it was submitted to . In February 2014 , it was accepted at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival , where it had its world premiere . The US premiere followed in March , at the 17th New York International Children 's Film Festival . In all , over ninety festivals have screened the film . The first public screening was held in December 2014 at a small cinema in Berkeley , California . At this screening , Kondo and Tsutsumi auctioned off original works of art
64th Berlin International Film Festival
64th Berlin International Film Festival
The Dam Keeper