Boonie Bears 2: Mystical Winter

Boonie Bears started out as a popular TV animation series produced by CCTV, the Chinese national broadcasting channel. Based on its some 200 episodes, CCTV produced an animated theatrical feature, Boonie Bears: To the Rescue (2014). A smash hit in China earlier this year, Boonie Bears: A Mystical Winter (2015) is the sequel to To the Rescue. A Mystical Winter is a moving as well as heart-breaking fantasy tale that begins with timid Bramble meeting a legendary creature also known as the Winter Spirit. Bramble grows up but never forgets his magical encounter with the spirit, when the two finally do reunite, invaders threaten the pine forest that the spirit tends, forcing Bramble and his friends to fight to protect it and the spirit from a villain who persists on selling the spirit to a theme park. The film's production quality is top-notch and visually delightful, while its animated characters are authentic and adorable. The loving connection between Bramble and the spirit is especially touching and beautiful. (Busan International Film Festival)