Synopsis
In the summer of 2050, six-year-old Jia He learns that her best friend, Alai, is about to move away. In their innocent attempt to stop the farewell, they accidentally shatter a fishbowl, and the fragile life of a small goldfish slips away before their eyes. To ease the pain of loss, Alai suggests recreating the fish with bionic technology—an immortal substitute. But Jia He refuses, choosing to embrace imperfection rather than accept a false replacement for what was once real. Through the eyes of two children, Letting a Goldfish Go reflects on a future where the boundary between authentic and artificial life grows increasingly blurred. Tender yet profound, the film reminds us that technology can replicate forms, but it can never replace the purity of true friendship and the irreplaceable weight of saying goodbye.
Full credits
Directed by
Written by
Details
- Production Budget
- 40,000 CNY
- Country of Filming
- China
- Aspect Ratio
- 2.35:1
- Film Color
- Color
- First-time Filmmaker
- Yes
- Student Project
- Yes - King's College London
- Are you a film student, and was this film created as part of a school or student learning experience?
- Yes — Student Film: Created by a student enrolled in a school, college, university, or film program as part of their academic coursework or learning experience.
- Does your film include subtitles? If yes, please select all subtitle languages available.
- English, Others
Photos



Festival history
| Year | Section | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | International | Applied |

Bye bye! My Little Goldfish