iQIYI Debuts Feature-Length AIGC Film Based on Chinese Mythology

The 60-minute film serves as the opening chapter of a trilogy rooted in Eastern gothic aesthetics and classical folklore. The narrative follows a paper master searching for lost memories within a hidden realm, tasked with retrieving three mystical objects. Produced in collaboration with Beijing Dream Big Innovation Technology, the project signals a shift in commercial filmmaking, moving beyond experimental shorts into long-form professional distribution.

A team of 20 professionals utilized a full AIGC pipeline to manage everything from prompt engineering to 4K post-production. AI Director Haiyang Liu noted that the technology allowed for rapid visual iteration, with the team testing over 200 character designs across multiple creative passes. While the process accelerated production, director Xiangcheng Zeng emphasized that the shift demands a higher command of composite skills—integrating traditional art, lighting, and performance with technical AI mastery.

This release follows iQIYI’s earlier establishment of the Peter Pau AI Theater and a new revenue-sharing incentive program aimed at fostering the ecosystem. Chief Producer Cheng Jiang stated that advancing model capabilities are currently resolving long-standing challenges in spatial staging and character consistency, suggesting that the industry is entering a phase of deeper collaboration between algorithmic efficiency and human creative vision.