Moon Festival – Movie Afternoon

The Confucius Institute in Auckland was delighted to host a special Movie Afternoon for VIPs and local school communities to celebrate the Moon Festival on Saturday, 4 October 2025, at EVENT Cinemas, Westfield Newmarket.

Guests were treated to an English-language screening of the internationally acclaimed Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2. Before the film, attendees enjoyed a beautiful live music performance by CI Mandarin Language Assistant Sally, setting the tone for an afternoon of art and cultural appreciation.

Following the screening, Associate Professor Xuelin Zhou, Director of the Confucius Institute in Auckland, invited guests to take part in a lively post-film discussion. Participants shared their reflections on the movie’s themes and animation style, exploring the cultural symbolism and moral lessons embedded within the story. The conversation was engaging and insightful, allowing everyone to learn more about how modern Chinese cinema re-imagines traditional mythology for global audiences.

A Celebration of Culture and Connection

The Moon Festival screening reflected the Confucius Institute’s mission to build cultural bridges through shared experiences. By introducing audiences to one of China’s most talked-about films of 2025, the event offered a window into the creativity and innovation shaping Chinese cinema today.

Guests left inspired — not only by the film’s visual splendour and mythic storytelling, but also by the opportunity to engage in thoughtful intercultural dialogue.

About Ne Zha 2

Ne Zha 2 (2025), directed by Jiaozi (Yu Yang), is the spectacular sequel to the 2019 animated hit Ne Zha. Drawing on Chinese mythology from The Investiture of the Gods, it follows the young hero Nezha and his friend Ao Bing as they are reborn through a magical lotus and embark on a quest of courage, identity, and redemption. The film combines dazzling animation with powerful emotional themes.

Since its release, Ne Zha 2 has become a global phenomenon, breaking box office records to become the highest-grossing animated film in history — earning over US $2 billion worldwide and surpassing Inside Out 2. Praised for its artistry and storytelling, it has positioned Chinese animation as a new force on the world stage.

The English-dubbed version features Michelle Yeoh, helping the film reach wider audiences. International media, including Reuters, Le Monde, and AP News, have hailed it as a milestone in global cinema and a triumph of Chinese creativity.

The Confucius Institute’s Moon Festival screening offered guests a rare chance to experience this landmark film and engage in discussion about its mythological roots and universal appeal — celebrating both Chinese culture and global storytelling.