Seven directors and two executive producers of the film are all very young and full of creativity and imagination. About the present, they have different observations and understandings. Starting with “childlike innocence”, they adopt different artistic forms; focusing on family subjects, they take different perspectives. Creating sincerely and presenting goodness are the unanimous expression of these young animation artists in the modern times.

 

According to the order of the seven short films, the seven directors are namely Lan Xiya, Li Nianze, Zhao Yi, Yu Kun, Liu Gaoxiang, Liu Maoning and Chen Chen, while the two executive producers are Gu Chen and Zhu Yantong. 

 

The film, To the Bright Side, was jointly presented by Benlai Pictures, the Spiritual Wealth Club, Youyang Media, Kaishu Story and Sanwuchu Education. Fan Deng, Chief Content Officer of the Spiritual Wealth Club, Uncle Kai, Founder of Kaishu Story App and Li Xiaomeng, Co-founder of Sanwuchu Education, were present at the screening site to promote the film as representatives of the presenters;

 

The film was jointly promoted and supported by a number of China's renowned children's book publishing houses for the first time, including China Welfare Institute Publishing House, Jieli Publishing House, Post Wave Publishing, Tomorrow Publishing House, the Children’s Book Division of CITIC Press Group, Poplar Kid's Republic, Hsin Yi Picture Book, Thinkingdom Children's Books, Everafter Books, Love Reading Books, The Magic Elephant Books, CheerFly Culture, Yishao Culture, UTOP Spreading Splendid Culture, etc.;

　　

After the screening, famous experts and KOLs in the fields of picture books and parent-child education, such as A Jia, Wang Zhigeng, Lin Dan, Tian Yu, He Qian, Sun Huiyang and Wei Shu, shared how they were touched and surprised by the film with the audience;

 

Professor Mei Zihan, a prestigious writer of children’s literature, wrote opening leads for the film; 

 

Let’s walk into the screening site of To the Bright Side, the first domestic animated film based on picture books, to review more “surprises” beyond advanced viewing.

 

“Touching” is a high-frequency word for this viewing experience, but it is not simply “tearful” or “sensational” like commercial blockbusters. Viewers are touched by Chinese emotions, elements and stories, which come from life and culture.

 

“The soothing emotional flow in the film is very touching and enjoyable for me, and it also brings surprises than just moving me to tears. The completeness and delicacy presented by the film make me really feel the 100% commitment of the creators, and such commitment reflects the original aspiration of ‘bringing love and beauty to the audience’ they are pursuing at the beginning of creation.” -- Xin Yan, Vice President of China Welfare Institute Publishing House

 

“I watched it very carefully, and I could see the authors’ good intentions in this film. It is a children’s movie and family movie very suited to be watched by the whole family. The emotions, elements and stories of Chinese style are very touching. It is worth more families, parents and children to together experience the emotions of Chinese people and taste of China.” -- Huang Xiaoyan, General Manager of Everafter Books

 

“It is my first time to watch this movie, and compared with the picture books, I have found many professional and meaningful changes. Such changes bring touching moments as well as unexpected surprises. The stories of this film have designed reversals and surprises, and many details are very solid and intriguing.” -- Xiong Ying, Editor-in-Chief of Picture Books of Thinkingdom Children's Books 

 

“I have watched it four times. Every time I watch it, I have a very peculiar feeling. There are many interesting details that I have not noticed before. I highly recommend all of you to read the picture books after watching the movie, and watch the movie again after reading the books. Through watching and reading back and forth, the sentiment and sense of reality slowly flow and must be gradually felt for several times. This taste can make you calm down and feel that the emotions of this film are very Chinese. They include the warmth and kindness of Chinese people, as well as the feelings about family and reunions.” -- A Jia, a children's book author, research fellow & reading promoter

 

 

The film features seven directors, seven artistic styles and seven different stories. The audience is suspicious when walking into cinemas, and this is a very normal psychological anticipation.

 

After film viewing, such anticipation naturally disappears. The film is very smooth, without any feeling of strangeness. The film is like classic animated short films of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio and soft fairy tales for adults. Following the concerto of naturally embedded nursery rhymes and under the call of the theme, “To the Bright Side”, the audience can feel an emotional and convergent force of “common expression”.

 

“This is a very good attempt in the fields of picture book publishing and animation films in China. The exploration and rise of original picture books have taken place in the past few years. The model of adapting picture books into animations can demonstrate good stories of China and Chinese elements to Chinese readers and viewers, and even the audience all over the world. We expect more works like this.” -- Wu Xingyuan, Chairman of Post Wave Publishing

 

“I have read the picture books, and also watched the animated film adapted from the picture books. This is a perfect adaptation, and I am completely immersed in the context of love and beauty. This film has provided Chinese children and families with a new aesthetic paradigm and viewing experience.” -- Xiong Ying, Editor-in-Chief of Picture Books of Thinkingdom Children's Books 

 

“60 years ago, starting with picture books, a number of artists with dreams in Shanghai told stories to children through camera. A few outstanding children's animation directors have thus emerged, and contributed a lot of excellent animated films and picture books. Today, we see these young creators start afresh to make good works dedicated to Chinese families and children. The path ahead is very long, but what has surprised us is their breakthrough from 0 to 1.” -- Wang Zhigeng, children's literature critic, children's book edition expert & member of China Read 30 Forum

 

“I haven’t watched an animated short film at the cinema for a long time, nor watched such a soft animated short film at the cinema for a longer time. Before watching it, I thought the name To the Bright Side may be a kind of artistic expression. But after viewing, it's a very soft and warm feeling. The degree of softness everywhere really surprises me. I believe these short films are not only suitable for children, but also more inclined to adults with childlike innocence. As a creator, brightness may be the color of childhood that we may still remember.” -- Tian Yu, a painter of picture books & Founder of Tian Yu Studio

 

 

At the screening site, the cast & crew were shocked by the effect of how their work had been presented on the IMAX screen for the first time, while the audience also felt deep sincerity of the cast & crew beyond the flow of the lights and shadows.

 

“I have seen good intentions of the filmmakers and animation directors. The selection of subjects, based on the standard of children, is very attentive and comprehensive; the expression of forms, such as watercolor painting, wash painting, hand drawing and collages, is a high-level and high-degree combination of arts; the music is also an interpretation of vitality. The entire story is very warm, and the meeting and cooperation between picture books and films are very beautiful. Children always need such beauty and warmth.” -- Yang Qing, Editor-in-Chief of Children's Kingdom Excellent Growth Series of UTOP Spreading Splendid Culture

 

The considerate subject selection and creation of creators are very close to life, and as a (publishing) practitioner, I particularly hope to participate in the job of such works. I am so delighted to promote such a touching and sincere film with love and beauty.” -- Zhang Nan, Editor-in-Chief of Infant Book Editorial Department of CheerFly Culture

 

“When I was watching this movie, images on the picture books continuously came to my mind. In excellent children's literature and works, adult roles are never absent, and they will speak for children. The creation form of this animated film has raised a higher requirement for feelings of readers and viewers. And this requirement precisely helps us understand children, families, and the age in which we live together with children. We can see much visible light in the film, and can also feel the light that cannot be seen. This is the best gift for childhood. Such a film deserves us to spend time enjoying with our children without distractions. The film carefully brings the warmth of love and kindness to the childhood of children. Let’s show our support for them together.” -- Sun Huiyang, children’s reading promoter & translator of children's books

 

“I am really amazed by the creation of these directors. I didn't expect them to restore the picture books so well. Regarding feeling the spiritual power of picture books with children, this movie did it. When watching the movie, I saw the child next to me exchanging the content of the movie with the mother. I think this is the effect we expect. As a full-time father, this movie tells us that parents’ seeing children growing up day by day and accompanying them well are the best growth for them. This time missed is missed, and can never come back in the future.” -- He Qian, an author of picture books

 

“Seeing so many friends, both adults and children, quietly undergoing this spiritual feast during the Mid-Autumn Festival and really enjoying it, I am deeply moved. The filmmakers have reached “the bright side” of their dream. We (Yourbay) are committed to bringing beautiful contents and people who create beautiful contents to every family and baby successfully. Every kid should have the opportunity to expect more about the future through various media such as picture books or movies in childhood, and open up their imagination and creativity, so that our future world will become better, and more bright things will happen. I would love to watch this film more times, and speak for her. I wish more people can feel the hard work of picture book creators and directors, as well as the love and beauty of China.” -- Lin Dan, Founder of Yourbay Library

 

“The directors have made a film that can represent the childhood of our post-90s parents. When I watch it, I am very touched, and my mask gets wet with tears. My mind would wander. It reminds me of such animations as The Snow Child, Mei Tounao and Bu Gaoxing and Baby Tadpoles Look for Their Mother I once watched in childhood, and I feel like a child again. From the perspective of feelings, I think this film is very successful, which makes adults find their inner childlike innocence. From the perspective of children, this film can also allow children to see the expectations of parents and thoughts of other children.” -- Wei Shu, a senior planner of children's books, publisher and host of education podcast program Suddenly Enlightened

 

 

Fan Deng, Uncle Kai and Li Xiaomeng, three former famous TV hosts, are the co-presenters of the film To the Bright Side on behalf of the Spiritual Wealth Club, Kaishu Story App and Sanwuchu Education, respectively. Why did they choose to participate in such an animated film with big investments and high risks, and support this original work without IP basis, big brands and stars? Speaking of their first cooperation, the three celebrities have different understandings which are very similar - promoting “the spiritual nourishment of love and beauty”.

 

We engage in reading promotion. We aim to recommend those books that people don't want to read but are nutritious to more people. Why did we choose to invest in To the Bright Side? I made the decision very quickly when I first saw this project. She is not so interesting and intriguing as a Hollywood movie, but beautiful pictures in the frames are implicit content and emotional expressions, reflecting a reproduction of life. From the perspective of art, this is a very high-class movie. This is also a high-level expression of life. 

 

Our life is not so noisy and colorful as that in Hollywood movies. We would act as what the film shows. This is our life and this is what we want to express. We should let our children, families and parents truly feel the emotion and power of life. When you take your child into the cinema to watch this movie, the child will unconsciously hold your hand. The emotional flow is naturally flowing between you.

 

I have watched this film several times, and I like it every time. Our dealer colleagues also like it very much. The audience here today is very patient and immerses themselves in it. I think the viewing effect in such a hall is very satisfying. I hope everyone can evaluate the film in an objective way, and feel free to expresses your feelings through we-media channels. This is a film of idealism. We would love to accept all good and critical opinions. (Fan Deng)

 

I have told many stories of picture books. They were all introduced in the past. Currently, many excellent domestic original picture books have been launched, and also been adapted into animated films. This was out of imagination seven or eight years ago, but we made it. China’s capability of making children’s contents, original picture books and films is comprehensively presented in this film. She is recording our age. This is the expression of artists, and To the Bright Side has reached such a high level. From picture books to films, the superficial narration and actual connotation of some stories are different, and this is the charm of animated films adapted from picture books. In this world, and in the spiritual world we provide, children can explore infinitely. So this matter is particularly worth doing.

 

I have watched this film several times. Every time is different. This gives me big surprises. At the very beginning, I was also worried about whether it would be a spliced work. Now it seems that the seven stories constitute an organic whole. They are expressing separately and unanimously, and each story is actively communicating with you, which is the biggest surprise. For some stories, even though I already knew the plot, I would get touched again. This kind of interaction is very beautiful. We are willing to encourage and promote such good works like it. (Uncle Kai)

 

We always say that children cannot lose at the starting line. How to prevent children from losing at the starting line? The answer is to give children the education of love and beauty. This is also a safety rope for a person to live a complete life. The education of love and beauty tells us it is adults who may learn more from education, instead of children. How to love your child unconditionally? How to give your child love? The answer is to give those beautiful and humanistic works to children.

 

Attention should be paid to the artistic contact and discrimination of children. Only in this way can children see the beauty that belongs to China and belongs to the background in which I was born. Maybe this beauty and sense of happiness cannot be expressed by words, but are very important for the decision-making of every individual. I brought my family, child and grandparents, to the screening site today. I found that every one likes this film in different aspects. We all enjoy it very much, without age limits, and this is a very happy feeling. (Li Xiaomeng)

 

I have presented many children's movies, but for this movie, it was the first time I couldn't wait to share it with my friends and family after watching it. This feeling is very strong, because this work is very smooth and complete. Compared with those relatively commercial animated films, there will be no intense sensory stimulation in To the Bright Side, but as a mother, I would take my child to watch it. Sitting there and enjoying such a movie, you may feel as if a ray of sunlight slowly shines in your heart. For children, if the seeds of love and beauty are planted in their hearts, they will sprout in the future, and deserve to be blessed. (Zhong Xiaoqiu)