Guangdong-produced animated film Into the Mortal World made its African debut as the opening film at a Chinese film week in Kenya, as part of events marking the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
From June 9 to 11, the film was screened alongside seven other Chinese productions.
Inspired by Chinese mythology, Into the Mortal World tells the story of a celestial being who descends to the mortal world and unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost sister, embarking on a journey shaped by human emotions, family bonds, and personal struggles.
The film struck a chord with local audiences. A Kenyatta University student said that although the story is rooted in Chinese mythology, its themes of love, responsibility, and family were deeply moving.
Since its international rollout began in August 2024, Into the Mortal World has been released in more than 40 countries and regions. It is set for release later this year in South Korea and Spain, as well as Ecuador, Colombia, and other Latin American markets.
Gu Yanmei, vice president of WinSing Animation, the Guangdong-based company behind the film, said the screenings had drawn strong interest from African distributors, several of whom expressed interest in bringing the film to cinemas across the continent.
Reporter | Chen Siyuan
Photo | WinSing
