Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming China’s film and television industry, playing an expanding role in storytelling from script development to on-screen production.
At Hengdian World Studios in east China’s Zhejiang Province, often dubbed “China’s Hollywood” — AI is increasingly used to create large-scale visuals that were once beyond the reach of low-budget productions. Post-production technician Zhang Shiyu said recent advances in large language models have dramatically improved efficiency, allowing complex scenes such as epic battles to be generated in minutes with greater realism and continuity.
AI-generated visuals are now seamlessly integrated into editing workflows through advanced texture mapping and visual effects, blending digital elements with live-action footage. According to Lu Caijian, chairman of Dongyang Gewuzhizhi Culture Media, AI now supports nearly every stage of post-production for micro-short dramas.
Industry officials say technology-driven innovation is fueling growth at Hengdian. Several tech firms have set up operations there this year, contributing to dozens of short drama productions by using AI for grand scenes, science fiction, fantasy genres and enhanced special effects.
Beyond production, AI is moving upstream into scriptwriting and project evaluation. A report by the China Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers noted that AI is reshaping workflows from creative development to marketing, redefining industry practices and creative boundaries.
Some companies have developed in-house AI models. Hangzhou-based Huace Group uses proprietary systems trained on decades of scripts and industry data to evaluate and optimize projects, cutting assessment time from weeks to hours and boosting efficiency by more than 50 percent.
Industry experts stress that AI is a creative assistant rather than a replacement for human talent. While it lowers entry barriers for new filmmakers and frees creators from routine tasks, final artistic control remains with people.
As AI accelerates content creation, it is also being deployed to protect intellectual property. Hengdian and other regions have introduced AI-powered copyright monitoring systems, helping detect infringements and recover significant financial losses, signaling a new era of AI-driven creativity and protection in China’s screen industries.
