—When a national IP meets AI: A heartwarming reunion 21 years in the making.

In April's Beijing, as the spring breeze brushes the shores of Yanqi Lake, the 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) arrives as promised. This annual cinematic feast once again draws the eyes of global filmmakers to this "City of Dual Festivals".

In the landscape of this year's BJIFF, a familiar name has burst back into the public eye with a brand-new face—Home with Kids. This "National Family", which accompanied the upbringing of countless Gen 80s, 90s, and 00s, welcomes a very special family member this spring: Henry.

Yes, it's that "Wonder Dog", Henry.

It quietly nestled into the warm, loving home of Home with Kids, becoming that "caring and talkative" furry companion in the childhood memories of countless viewers. In 2023, it stepped out from the movie Think Like a Dog and officially transformed into an AI Digital Being. This year, Henry is four years old—in dog years, he is in the prime of his life; in the world of AI, he has just unlocked infinite possibilities.

On April 18, the 16th BJIFF will host the "New Power of Chinese-Language Imaging: Home with Kids Henry AI Co-Creation Plan - Short Drama Globalization Innovation and Monetization Forum" at the O-Box, Langyuan Station, Dongba. The event will witness the grand launch of the Home with Kids AI Short Drama "Henry's Homecoming" 365-Episode Global Plan, featuring four major global premieres. This initiative aims to empower a classic IP with AI technology, marking the beginning of a new global journey for Chinese short drama.

This is not a simple IP reboot, but a reimagining of the concept of "Home"—a profound handshake between cutting-edge technology and human warmth.

Who is Henry?

The "Digital Family Member" of 21 Years

In the world of Home with Kids, Henry never sought the spotlight. He would lie quietly in the corner of the living room, watching the family's joys and sorrows with his moist, observant eyes. He listened to Liu Mei's nagging, watched Xia Donghai's worries, accompanied Liu Xing through his mischief, and waited for Xiao Xue to come home.

Twenty-one years have passed. The young viewers of that era have grown up; some are now parents themselves, some are striving in foreign lands, and some are experiencing life's first "goodbyes". That home on the screen has become the childhood sanctuary we can never truly return to.

But Henry remembers.

He views the world through his unique "canine philosophy" - cherishing every reunion, treasuring every moment of companionship, and seeing every bit of nagging as a testament to love. Today, with his new identity as an AI Digital Being, he has crossed the "dimensional wall" to become a dedicated digital family member for each and every one of us.

Who is Henry? He is the official Digital Heir of Home with Kids, the continuator of 21 years of national IP memories, and above all, a presence that "truly cares".

Four Global Premieres:

Using AI to Tell Chinese Stories Well

In the world of Home with Kids, Henry never sought the spotlight. He would lie quietly in the corner of the living room, watching the family's joys and sorrows with his moist, observant eyes. He listened to Liu Mei's nagging, watched Xia Donghai's worries, accompanied Liu Xing through his mischief, and waited for Xiao Xue to come home.

If Henry is the protagonist of this transformation, then Four Global Premieres is the brilliant movement marking his arrival on stage.

1. Global Recruitment for 100 Henry AI "One-Person Companies"

A selection of 100 outstanding creators from around the world will be recruited. Using AI as a powerful creative tool and the "one-person company" as an innovative model, the initiative aims to cultivate the new power of Chinese-language imaging. This is not a simple recruitment drive; it is a redefinition of the creator's identity. When AI becomes your "digital employee", one person is an army.

Selected creators will receive IP licensing, technical support, and access to a global distribution network, empowering young creators to truly step onto the international stage and bring high-quality Chinese-language content to the world.

2. Global Premiere of the 365-Episode Home with Kids AI Short Drama: Henry's Homecoming

A full year of 365 high-quality episodes, achieving a daily-update schedule. Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, we are revitalizing this national classic IP to set a new benchmark for the Chinese AI short drama industry.

What does this mean? It means that starting from April 18, a new story about "Home" will be waiting for you every single day. This 365-day uninterrupted companionship perfectly mirrors the daily life of a family—ordinary, yet indispensable.

3. Official Launch of the "365 Brands · Global Family Alliance"

Centering on the national IP Home with Kids as the core bond, this initiative provides partner brands with integrated empowerment solutions, including customized content, product placement, short drama e-commerce, and global exposure.

This is not just simple product placement; it is the co-construction of an ecosystem based on "Home" culture. Every brand joining the "Global Family Alliance" will become a member of this extended family—growing alongside the IP, empathizing with users, and achieving a win-win in the market.

4. Strategic Signing of the Global AI Short Drama & AI Motion Comic Distribution Alliance

A strategic signing ceremony will take place on-site with international distribution partners, officially integrating overseas distribution, global revenue sharing, and short drama e-commerce. This marks the construction of a complete, closed-loop commercial ecosystem for the globalization of Chinese short drama.

What does this mean? It means that Chinese AI short drama are no longer just "going overseas"—they are truly "landing". Carrying Chinese stories, Chinese culture, and Chinese warmth, they are stepping directly into the daily lives of global audiences.

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Going Global:

Let the World Witness the Beauty of China

Within the grand narrative of "Henry's Homecoming", there is a particularly heartwarming footnote: the Special Initiative for ICH Globalization.

This is a one-stop service platform—integrating "AI Short Drama + Overseas Distribution + Short Drama E-commerce"—specifically designed for ICH products and their inheritors. When traditional craftsmanship meets AI visuals, and when millennia-old culture boards the digital express, Chinese ICH will step onto the global stage with a brand-new face.

Imagine this: the rhythmic tapping of Miao silver jewelry being forged, the delicate textures of Suzhou embroidery stitches, the glowing warmth of Jingdezhen porcelain kilns... These expressions of ICH beauty, carrying the genetic code of Chinese civilization, will be seen, felt, and cherished by global audiences through the medium of AI short drama.

This is a vivid realization of "Using AI to Tell Chinese Stories Well".

Core Forum Philosophy: No Awards, Only Win-Win

Among the many forums at the film festival, this event stands out for its unique commercial logic.

"No Awards, Only Win-Win" - this is not just a slogan, but a comprehensive business model. In the new competitive tracks of globalization, commercialization, and industrialization for short drama, a healthy and sustainable ecosystem can only be formed when creators truly benefit, brands truly gain value, and IPs truly monetize.

From customized content and product placement to short drama e-commerce and global revenue sharing, "Henry's Homecoming" has constructed a complete commercial closed-loop. Here, every participant can find their own value coordinates within the industry.

After 21 Years, It's Your Family's Turn

Henry says, "Using AI to tell Chinese stories well, and letting Chinese-language short drama reach the world."

Henry also says, "After 21 years, it's your family's turn."

This sentence carries two layers of meaning: First, the Home with Kids IP has accompanied its audience for 21 years, and Henry has finally "come home". Second, the warmth associated with "home" is now ready to be continued - and this time, it's your family's turn to write the next chapter.

Whether you are a creator, a brand partner, an ICH inheritor, or simply someone moved by this story - this home has a seat reserved just for you.

Date: April 18. Venue: O-Box, Langyuan Station, Dongba, Beijing International Film Festival.

Join us for this grand feast of AI content innovation and witness the revitalized journey of a national classic IP.

Application Portal:

henrystar2026@163.com

Email subject format:

Creator + Name/Team

Brand + Company Name

ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) + Product Name

Guiding Unit:

BJIFF Organizing Committee Office

Host:

China Film Critics Association

Organizers:

Microfilm and Short Drama Audiovisual Special Committee of China Film Critics Association

Zhongshi Meixing International Cultural Media Co., Ltd.

Supporters:

China Film Producers' Association

China Children's Film Association (CCFA)

Jointly initiated by:

Henry Company

See you on April 18.

—Let every home have a Henry.