New York — On Chinese New Year's Eve, the festive short film Galloping into the Year of the Horse premiered on the giant screens of Times Square, presenting a five-part visual symphony of Chinese New Year traditions and extending heartfelt greetings from China to audiences around the world.
The film also features a dedicated Chongqing segment, presenting iconic scenes such as a "New Charm Chongqing" drone light show, monorail trains passing through the building, the Tongliang Fire Dragon performance, and a festive lion dance at Hongya Cave, capturing the dynamic Spring Festival atmosphere of Chongqing.
The film also features a dedicated Chongqing segment, presenting iconic scenes such as a "New Charm Chongqing" drone light show.
The film also features a dedicated Chongqing segment, presenting iconic scenes such as the Tongliang Fire Dragon performance.
As midnight marked the arrival of the Spring Festival and families across China gathered in reunion, the celebratory film—jointly produced by the China Intercontinental Communication Center and the China Institute—brought scenes of renewal, heritage, and togetherness to one of the world's most recognizable public spaces.
The film also features a dedicated Chongqing segment, presenting iconic scenes such as the monorail trains passing through the building.
The film also features a dedicated Chongqing segment, presenting iconic scenes such as the Hongya Cave.
Centered on the symbolic Year of the Horse, the production unfolds through five thematic chapters—Horse, Year, Home, Joy, and Gathering—exploring the cultural and emotional dimensions of the Spring Festival.
The opening chapter, "Horse," traces the enduring image of the horse across Chinese history—from ancient rock carvings to classical poetry—portraying it as a spiritual emblem of vitality and forward momentum. The film frames the Year of the Horse as a time defined by aspiration and courage.
A still frame from the Chinese New Year short film "Galloping into the Year of the Horse," showcasing the image of the horse across Chinese history.
In "Year," the narrative turns to the seasonal rituals of the Spring Festival. Fireworks illuminate the night sky, symbolizing both farewell to the past and hope for renewal. The character for "year" becomes a metaphorical flame—burning with remembrance and anticipation.
The light-and-shadow horse passes by Chaotianmen in Chongqing, featured in the Chinese New Year festive short film "Galloping into the Year of the Horse."
The third chapter, "Home," centers on the universal theme of return. Trains, flights, and long journeys converge toward a single destination—family. Through sweeping visuals, the film portrays the emotional gravity of reunion, where every distant path ultimately leads back to a waiting light.
A monorail train glides across the river through the night skyline of Chongqing, carrying residents home for the Spring Festival.
"Joy" captures the vibrant celebratory atmosphere of the holiday. From dazzling lantern displays to rhythmic drumbeats accompanying dragon and lion dances, scenes of festivity surge forward like galloping horses carrying the dawn across the land.
A lion dance performance at Hongya Cave in Chongqing draws large crowds of visitors during the Spring Festival celebrations.
The concluding chapter, "Gathering," presents intimate scenes of family reunion—shared meals, warm conversations, and glowing homes—expressing the enduring Chinese value of togetherness and the wish for collective well-being.
The drone light show illuminates the skyline of Chongqing, with formations in the night sky displaying "Hello 2026."
Drawing on visual contributions from more than a dozen institutions—including national media outlets, regional broadcasters, cultural and tourism organizations, and international communication agencies—the film weaves a rich tapestry of contemporary life and traditional heritage. Each frame reflects the cultural vitality of China's most significant holiday and presents it in a modern cinematic language.
On Chinese New Year's Eve, the festive short film Galloping into the Year of the Horse premiered on the giant screens of Times Square.
Times Square, which welcomes tens of millions of visitors annually, served as a symbolic global stage for the broadcast. The screening brought the sights and spirit of the Spring Festival to international audiences, offering overseas Chinese communities a sense of connection while introducing global viewers to the warmth and meaning of the celebration.
Recognized by the UNESCO as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Spring Festival embodies a shared human aspiration for reunion, renewal, and happiness. Through luminous imagery and cultural storytelling, Galloping into the Year of the Horse carried New Year blessings across borders, sharing a message of harmony and hope with audiences worldwide.
Following its Times Square debut, the film will be released across major digital platforms in China, extending its festive greetings to households both at home and abroad.