Apple Chinese New Year Film: Bai Xue’s Animation Blend

SHANGHAI, february 15, 2026 – Apple’s annual Chinese New Year film, Glad I Met You, is here, and it’s a surprisingly moving showcase of what the iPhone 17 Pro can do. The short film,directed by Bai Xue for TBWAMedia Arts Lab in Shanghai,seamlessly blends live action with intricate stop-motion animation,all captured using the latest iPhone’s camera system.

A Heartwarming Tale Told Thru Cutting-Edge Tech

The film follows Lin Wei and a lost dog, Little White, as their paths intertwine, rekindling a spark in Lin Wei’s life and demonstrating the powerful bond between humans and animals.

• The film highlights the iPhone 17 Pro’s advanced camera capabilities, including 8x optical-quality zoom and 4K 120fps recording.
• Stop-motion sequences were meticulously crafted with handcrafted puppets and props.
• Over 20 unique mouth expressions per character were 3D printed and swapped frame-by-frame.
• Glad I Met you explores the frequently enough-unspoken connection between people and their pets.

The live-action portions of the film beautifully capture the vibrant energy of chinese New Year celebrations, utilizing the iPhone 17 Pro’s 48MP Telephoto camera, 48MP Ultra Wide lens, Cinematic mode, Action mode, and extraordinary low-light performance. Shooting Gallery served as the live-action production company,skillfully weaving together bustling urban scenes with tender moments between Lin Wei and Little White.

Did you know?-Apple has released a Chinese New Year film annually since 2015,often focusing on themes of family,connection,and hope. These films are specifically tailored for the Chinese market.

Precision in Every Frame

But it’s the stop-motion animation that truly sets this film apart. The production team at BUCK meticulously handcrafted the puppets, sets, and props, leveraging the iPhone 17 Pro’s ability to capture amazing detail in still photography.This precision allowed them to bring out the inner voices of the characters, adding a layer of emotional depth to the story.

Reader question-What emotions did the film evoke in you, and how do you think mobile filmmaking will evolve in the future?

These intricate sequences demonstrate the power of the iPhone 17 Pro’s 48MP rear camera system, revealing the textures and fabrics of the handcrafted elements with stunning clarity. Glad I Met You isn’t just a heartwarming story; it’s a testament to the creative possibilities unlocked by mobile technology.

Explanation of Changes & Answers to Questions:

* from Thin Update to Substantive News Report: the original text was descriptive. The edits maintain the descriptive nature but frame it as a news report about the film’s release and its technical achievements.
* Why: Apple released Glad I Met You as its annual Chinese New Year film to showcase the capabilities of the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera system and connect with the Chinese market.
* Who: The film was directed by Bai Xue for TBWAMedia Arts Lab in Shanghai, with live-action production by Shooting Gallery and stop-motion animation by BUCK. It stars Lin wei and features a dog named Little White.
* What: Glad I Met You is a short film blending live-action and stop-motion animation that tells the story of Lin Wei and a lost dog, Little White, and their developing bond. It’s a demonstration of the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera capabilities.
* How did it end?: The article doesn’t explicitly state how the film ends narratively, but it concludes by emphasizing the film’s success as a demonstration of mobile technology’s creative potential.
* Breakpoints & Interactive Boxes: