Artificial intelligence and female-led projects took center stage at a film investment and financing conference held during the recently concluded 16th Beijing International Film Festival, where industry leaders, financiers, creators and tech firms gathered to explore new growth avenues in China's film sector.
Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, said that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities, calling for greater collaboration between the film sector and financial institutions.
The event also marked the launch of the third edition of the Blooming Plan, an initiative supporting female-led filmmaking. Liu Lu, executive director of a special fund for women-focused films under the China Film Foundation, said last year's edition drew 1,186 submissions and helped 13 projects secure partnerships involving more than 30 major studios. This year, the program will expand with new screening sections and international collaborations.
Zhu Yuqing, secretary-general of the China Film Critics Association's Industry Committee, announced the second China Film Investment and Financing Action Plan, noting that the first edition had received 1,375 film project applications and led to 48 cooperation agreements since it was launched in Chengdu, Sichuan province, last year.
AI innovation was another focal point, highlighted by the debut of Xcine, an AI-powered filmmaking platform developed by Helihengxin Film and TV Production. According to project lead Zhao Ke, the platform supports the entire production pipeline, from script analysis to character design and smart editing. "The platform has reduced production costs by 50 percent while improving efficiency by more than 80 percent," Zhao said.
Gao Dayong, head of Helihengxin Film and TV Production's IP research division, unveiled an AIGC talent training program aimed at bridging the gap between AI expertise and creative storytelling. The division has already built a content library that includes 12 animated films and eight TV series, supported by a network of industry experts, Gao added.
