Archive · 25 Sep 2026
China Pushes AI Video Toward a New Film Industry
China is trying to make AI-created movies and videos into a large industry.
Cities are offering filmmakers money, cheaper offices and access to computers.
AI can make some scenes much less expensive than traditional filming.
Many new AI shows are being released, but only a small number become very popular.
This has raised concerns that too many videos are being made for audiences to watch.
Actors worry that AI could copy their faces or voices and reduce jobs.
Viewers also complain that some AI videos copy other people’s ideas without credit.
China has approved its first AI film from a major studio for theatrical release.
Supporters believe China could become a leader in AI filmmaking, while critics want clearer copyright rules and better-quality content.
Chinese cities are competing to attract AI filmmakers with subsidies, cheap rent, computing support and technology clusters.
AI short-drama production costs reportedly fell from 5,000 yuan per minute to several hundred yuan in the first half of 2026.
Douyin hosted 221,900 new AI shows in the first half of the year, but only 1,055 surpassed 100 million views.
China’s first major-studio AI film to receive a theatrical screening license, “Sanxingdui: Future Memories,” is due for release this year.
The industry faces concerns about oversupply, copyright, unauthorized use of actors’ likenesses, job losses and limited originality.
- Who
- Chinese AI filmmakers, studios, local governments, streaming platforms, actors and consumers are involved.
- What
- China is rapidly developing an AI-generated video and film industry through investment, subsidies and production incentives.
- When
- The push has intensified this year; cost and streaming figures cited in the article cover the first half of 2026, and one approved film is due for release this year.
- Where
- The activity is taking place across China, including Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and Hainan, with Chinese AI content also reaching overseas events.
- Why
- Governments and companies want to reduce production costs, build AI technology clusters and establish an early lead in AI filmmaking and distribution.
Industry Supporters
Critics and Concerned Creators
Government incentives
Industry Supporters
Supporters say subsidies, rent reductions, computing access and technology clusters give filmmakers an affordable environment to experiment and help China build a competitive industry.
Critics and Concerned Creators
Critics warn that heavy state support may produce overcapacity and falling prices, as has occurred in other industries receiving extensive backing.
AI production and audience value
Industry Supporters
Filmmakers emphasize that AI can sharply reduce costs and make complex or surreal scenes easier to produce, while supporters see China gaining an early lead.
Critics and Concerned Creators
Consumers complain about plagiarism and a lack of originality, and the limited number of highly viewed AI shows suggests that high output does not guarantee audience success.
Rights and employment
Industry Supporters
The expansion of AI video could create new studios, distribution opportunities and international exposure for Chinese creators.
Critics and Concerned Creators
Actors and other critics are concerned about unauthorized use of likenesses, copyright infringement and potential job losses for voice actors; China requires AIGC labels but has not established clear copyright rules.
- AI shows on Douyin
- 221,900 new AI shows launched in the first half of the year.
- Highly viewed shows
- 1,055 of those shows received more than 100 million views.
- AI production costs
- Short-drama costs fell from 5,000 yuan per minute to a few hundred yuan in the first half of 2026.
- Beijing support fund
- Beijing has a 260 million yuan fund for audiovisual technology.
- First approved major-studio AI film
- “Sanxingdui: Future Memories” received a public-screening license and is scheduled for release this year.
- Major streaming support
- iQIYI says it is fully committed to AI and offers some creators subsidies for AI content.