Write a short summary of what happens in the film

Entirely shot on iPhone, the 12-minute movie ‘Nian’ is an alternative take on a Chinese New Year folklore that traditionally portrays the titular character as a terrifying monster. In this version, a curious little girl confronts her fear of the unknown by seeking out the elusive, forest-dwelling Nian to find out if he was indeed as menacing as her parents often described – a ruse to discourage her from wandering off to the forest alone. Her curiosity was rewarded when she discovers the creature was misunderstood all along. Soon a beautiful friendship ensues.

Please tell us about the cultural insight that inspired the work

Chinese people grew up with the Chinese New Year legend of Nian, a forest-dwelling creature that’s always portrayed as a ferocious beast who terrorizes mankind. Little is known about the creature which makes it fearsome in people’s imagination for centuries. In our retelling of this legend, our protagonist is constantly reminded by her parents about the frightening stories of Nian as a ruse to discourage her from wandering off to the forest, an unknown world to them. This narrative stems from traditional Chinese societal norms where parents tend to overprotect their children from the outside world and the unknowns that come with it. With China’s young generation eager to stand out as individuals, the moral behind our story serves to instill in them a courageous mindset to explore new, unfamiliar experiences which might surprise them.