Animation lovers were drawn to the Studio Ghibli Afternoons film festival in Melbourne's Fed Square in April.

The free, four-day, outdoor festival screened two classic Studio Ghibli films daily. Including Castle in the Sky, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbour Totoro and The Cat Returns, the event aimed to celebrate the iconic films of Hayao Miyazaki and his team’s imaginative stories and vivid characters.

Audiences relaxed on deckchairs and brought picnic mats and folding chairs. Snack stalls near ACMI offered chocolate ice cream, popcorn and drinks.

University of Melbourne student Candy Li said the films brought back childhood memories.

"Watching Howl's Moving Castle with friends in the centre of the city felt like going back in time to when I was a kid watching it at home," Li said. 

"It was a real sense of belonging to be able to share Ghibli's story with so many people in a foreign country."

One parent in the crowd said they'd brought their two children and were "completely captivated by Castle in the Sky for the first time".

"This activity is really great for giving children the chance to get in touch with one of the most beautiful animations in the world."