Michael Gracey Brings
'90s Nostalgia to
Apple's Chinese New
Year Love Story
Apple celebrates Chinese New Year with its latest Shot on iPhone film, 'I Made a Mixtape for You', marking its 8th annual Chinese New Year campaign - the film explores the complexities of dating culture and traditional expectations in 1990s China, set to iconic Mando-pop hits. Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman and Better Man), with Oscar-winning cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt and choreographer Ashley Wallen, the film blends musical storytelling and magical realism to highlight the timeless power of love.
​​​​​​​
Shot on the iPhone 16 Pro, the campaign showcases the device’s advanced camera capabilities, including 4K 120 fps cinematic slo-mo and new Camera Control features for seamless operation. Gracey praised the iPhone’s ability to capture stunning detail, particularly in dynamic dance sequences, while the immersive soundscape was crafted using the phone’s advanced Audio Mix features.

The film’s theatrical moving sets allowed actors to navigate scenes, fluidly enhancing the narrative’s magical quality. A behind-the-scenes video reveals how the iPhone 16 Pro brought this ambitious production to life.
Watch the short film
Behind-the-Scene
Out of Home - Shot on iPhone Film Poster