- China is witnessing an explosion of generative AI in cinema, with over 95% of the approximately 128,000 microdramas released in Q1/2026 being created entirely by AI, compared to nearly zero the year before.
- The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival launched the AI Backlot program, pairing traditional directors with AI creators to produce short films within about one month.
- iQiyi forecasts that feature-length films created entirely by generative AI could appear as early as the summer of 2026, and more than half of top-tier productions could utilize AI within 5 years.
- Tencent Video completed a high-quality TV drama series using AI, while China licensed its first 90-minute animated sci-fi feature film created entirely by AI.
- An AI microdrama only requires 5 to 10 people, finishes within 2 weeks to 1 month, and costs around 100,000 RMB, equivalent to approximately 13,950 USD.
- A similar live-action film requires 300,000 to 500,000 RMB, equivalent to approximately 41,850 to 69,750 USD, along with 2 to 3 months of production.
- AI reduces the demand for extras, editors, and crew members, but industry experts assert that human emotions, storytelling, and creative judgment still determine the quality.
- 📌 Conclusion: Generative AI is completely reshaping the Chinese film industry, with over 95% of new microdramas produced by AI, production timelines reduced to 2 weeks to 1 month, and costs cut to around 100,000 RMB (approx. 13,950 USD). However, filmmakers, enterprises, and experts all agree that AI still faces limitations in emotions, visual consistency, and long-form storytelling, meaning humans will continue to hold the central role in artistic creation.
