As AI video generation models continue to dominate headlines, the question facing the film and TV industry is about what comes next.

The shift is underway: from a niche "experimental tool" to a fully-fledged "production asset" within the film industry;

from fragmented, independent creation to scalable, standardized industrial application.

The AIGC Film Section of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival answers this question with a comprehensive and forward-looking upgrade, outlining a new roadmap for the intelligent evolution of China's film and TV sector.

As one of the world's first dedicated festival sections focused on AI-driven audiovisual creation, this year's edition will fundamentally break away from the traditional festival model of "selection without incubation". Anchored by two key venues (or landmarks)—the Communication University of China and Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong Branch)—the section establishes a dual-platform structure, bringing together academic research and industry practice in a coordinated framework.

Built around a clearly defined "Competition–Forum–Workshop–Event" structure, the AIGC Film Section creates a fully integrated value chain for the commercialization of AIGC film and TV works. A meaningful transition—from creative experimentation to industrial application—officially takes shape!

The 16th Beijing International Film Festival 

AIGC Film Section

Breaking Boundaries: Expanding the Content Pipeline - Where Computing Power Meets Creativity

A sustainable industry begins with a strong pipeline of high-quality content.

This year's AIGC Film Section introduces an ambitious competition framework spanning AIGC feature films, short films and series, designed to attract leading works from across the globe. In parallel, the festival has entered into a strategic partnership with Alibaba Tongyi Lab, with technical support from Wan—one of the world's leading multimodal visual generation models, offering comprehensive capabilities across both open- and closed-source systems. In addition to themed competition tracks, the section will feature bespoke masterclasses and the "72-Hour Extreme Innovation Competition (Hackathon)", actively fostering next-generation creative output.

The festival has also established global strategic partnerships with leading institutions and platforms in Cannes, North America, Hong Kong and Macao. As part of a coordinated film screening network, selected works from these four major international platforms will be showcased concurrently, strengthening global distribution channels while bringing together top creative talent from around the world in Beijing.

Awards Ceremony of AIGC Film Section 

at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival

Setting the Benchmark: Defining New Standards for AI Filmmaking

For experimental creation to evolve into a mature industry, clear standards are essential.

This year's AIGC Film Section moves beyond screening to address key challenges in industrialization. Leveraging its dual-venue model, the section will host four high-level theme forums, establishing a comprehensive framework that integrates industry, technology academia, and cross-sector collaboration.

Industry Seminar - From Insight to Commercialization: These sessions will focus on major challenges of AICG film & TV production including production workflows, regulatory compliance and commercialization, offering forward-looking industry insights to support the scalable deployment of AI in filmmaking.

Technology Salon - Advancing the Frontier: Bringing together world-leading technologists and R&D pioneers, the Technology Salon will delve into the cutting-edge application of foundation models and film production toolchains, fostering collaboration across open-source communities and advancing interoperability at the infrastructure level.

Academic & Humanities Forum - Reframing Language and Values: Positioned at the forefront of a rapidly evolving era, this forum will examine how AI is reshaping the language and aesthetics of cinema. Amid the accelerating pace of algorithmic innovation, it will also revisit and reaffirm the central role of human creativity in artistic expression.

AI + Sci-Fi/ Digital/ Cultural Tourism Dialogues - Crossing Boundaries, Driving Integration: Extending beyond the traditional film ecosystem, these cross-sector dialogues will explore how AIGC-powered imaging can enable sci-fi world-building, digital human applications and the real-world cultural tourism economy—unlocking new frontiers for large-scale commercial scenarios. Together, these initiatives signal a clear ambition: China is not only a showcase for AIGC works, but a key architect of future industry standards in film and TV.

Forum Sessions of the AIGC Film Section 

at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival

Forging an Incubator - From Experimental Creation to Commercialization

At the heart of this industry leap lies a powerful "conversion engine".

The newly introduced Creation Forum section—developed in collaboration with Tongyi Lab's Wan model—will test the commercial viability of AI-driven production:

The "72-Hour Extreme Innovation Competition (Hackathon)" will bring together 16 elite teams selected from global preliminary divisions, who will undertake high-intensity, theme-based production in a continuous 72-hour timeframe.

Masterclasses will feature leading experts delivering on-site, collaborative instruction, while also commissioning top teams to produce bespoke, commercially viable content for partner brands. Here, creators move beyond purely experimental work to engage directly with real-world briefs—marking a decisive shift from "artistic exploration" to "market-ready production".

Screening Sessions of the AIGC Film Section 

at the Beijing International Film Festival

Transition: Building an Ecosystem - Connecting High-Quality Projects with Top-Tier Resources

The ultimate measure of commercialization lies in whether outstanding work earns wide market recognition.

As a central pillar of the event, the Industry Forum section will introduce the AI Film & TV Project Pitches, selecting high-potential AIGC projects from a global pool for intensive on-site pitching and expert evaluation.

Whether with an emerging creative concept or a near-market-ready short, participants will gain direct access to leading domestic streaming platforms, major film and TV companies, and even pathways to overseas distribution.

With major industry announcements at the opening ceremony and the unveiling of jury and top honors at the awards ceremony, a fully integrated AIGC ecosystem—spanning creation, incubation, investment and distribution—will take shape.

From discovering cutting-edge ideas to defining industrial standards; and from high-pressure incubation to resource-driven acceleration.

The AIGC Film Section of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival is no longer just a standalone programme, but a fully realized pipeline for the industrialization of AI-driven filmmaking.

A formidable lineup of global industry leaders, academic authorities and key opinion makers has already assembled, with a “best-in-class” advisory and jury panel to be announced soon. (Stay tuned for upcoming announcements.)