Equinox

This is a stunning piece of animation. Hua (花神, Huā Shén), the guardian of spring, is portrayed as an impatient young dragon. He decides to break out from the Cave of the Seasons, disrupting the natural order before his appointed time, and as he does so, flowers bloom and green shoots burst forth across the landscape. However, Xuanwu (玄武), the guardian of winter and the North, is not yet ready to relinquish his rule, and a battle ensues between dragon and turtle. Will Hua’s attempt to force the course of time succeed, or will he come to understand the consequences of defying the natural cycle?

As a way of explaining the mythology behind this fantastic animation, it draws on traditional Chinese cosmology in which the seasons are governed not by human emotion but by cosmic balance. Spring is associated with growth, impatience, and renewal, often symbolised by dragons and flower spirits such as Hua, while winter is embodied by Xuanwu, a powerful composite of tortoise and snake representing endurance, stillness, and the Water element. The conflict between them reflects a core Daoist idea: change cannot be forced without imbalance. The Cave of the Seasons acts as a metaphor for time itself, reinforcing the belief that each season must complete its purpose before giving way to the next. Through animation, the myth becomes a visual lesson about harmony, restraint, and respect for the natural order.

This animated film was created as part of the 3D animation filmmaking programme at ESMA (class of 2024). It was directed by Anissa Cugnier, Adama Diallo Gibert, Marius Joffray, Jérémy Julien, Xia Mellano, Gaëlle Pandraux, Noa Rosa Calatrava, Marama Tatarata, and Melissa Unal, with music by Nicolas Montaigne and Marine Bonnetain, and sound design by Yoann Poncet.  Well done to all involved.  It is amazing to think that this is a student film – it is as good as anything produced by the major players in the animation industry.  Simply stunning work.

Watch Equinox below.