Entirely shot on iPhone, the 12-minute film “Nian,”directed by Lulu Wang, is an alternative take on a Chinese New Year folklore that traditionally portrays the titular character as a terrifying monster. In this version, a curious little girl confronts her fear of the unknown by seeking out the elusive, forest-dwelling Nian to find out if he was indeed as menacing as her parents often described—a ruse to discourage her from wandering off to the forest alone. Her curiosity is rewarded when she discovers the creature was misunderstood all along and a beautiful friendship ensues.