International visitors to Guangdong can add a local cinema experience to their itinerary and discover Chinese mythology through the lens of homegrown animation. The Guangdong-produced animated film "Into the Mortal World" will return to Chinese cinemas on October 24, offering audiences another chance to experience its distinctive Eastern aesthetics and traditional Chinese storytelling. Special fan screenings will feature commemorative tickets and posters, while director Q&A sessions are planned in selected cities.
Produced by Guangzhou-based Winsing Animation, the film grew out of a six-minute graduation project by students at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in 2020. After five years of production, the feature premiered nationwide in July 2024. It draws on the traditional Chinese folktale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
The film follows Jinfeng, the Weaver Girl's son, who descends to the mortal world and joins Xiaofan, a mortal girl, on a fantastical journey. It brings Chinese constellation mythology, including the 28 constellations, to life through elaborate animation and a distinctive visual style.
Traditional Chinese art and design feature prominently throughout the film. Inspired by the Weaver Girl's skill in weaving, the creative team incorporated traditional weaving and embroidery into architectural designs, magical powers and action sequences. Song Dynasty architecture and elements of Chinese folk art further enrich the film's fantasy world.
The film won the Gold Award for Best Animated Feature at the China Animation & Comic Competition Golden Dragon Awards and was nominated for Best Art Film at the 37th China Golden Rooster Awards in 2024. In 2025, it was selected for the feature film competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France.
Since its overseas debut in August 2024, "Into the Mortal World" has been released theatrically in more than 40 countries and regions, including Singapore, Australia and Russia. Its international journey continues in 2026, with further releases scheduled across Latin America and a South Korean theatrical release planned for January 2027.
The film is also listed in the program for the 2026 New Zealand Chinese Film Festival, which runs from October 25 to 31, giving local audiences another opportunity to discover this Guangdong-produced animated feature and its distinctive blend of Chinese mythology and Eastern aesthetics.
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Author | Liu Lingzhi
Photos | Winsing Animation
