Hengdian conference highlights growing role of large AI models in film, TV industry

A Hengdian film and television large AI model along with an AI film and television industry ecosystem and services operation center were officially launched at the Hengdian Film & Television Cultural Industry Development Conference held in Dongyang, Zhejiang province, on Oct. 31.

The Hengdian Film & Television Cultural Industry Development Conference is held in Dongyang, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, Oct. 31, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the 2025 Hengdian Film & TV Festival Organizing Committee]

AI technology is no longer just an industry concept but has achieved practical applications in key areas such as copyright protection and cost reductions with efficiency improvements, helping to transform the film and television industry, according to speakers at the conference held during the 2025 Hengdian Film & TV Festival.

During the conference, the Hengdian film and television large AI model was unveiled, designed around the complete film and TV industry chain and workflow.

Unlike general AI models, the model precisely targets pain points in the industry, establishing specialized intelligent application scenarios across four core stages: creation, filming, production and promotion. This enables AI to cover the entire content production chain and meet the high-quality development needs of the film and television industry.

At the conference, a local police bureau officer unveiled an AI-powered monitoring system that combats film and TV copyright infringement through autonomous detection and data analysis. The system currently protects 3,125 films and 46,374 television episodes, flagging over 11,000 suspected infringing websites. Since its trial operation this year, it has helped solve 10 cases and led to the blocking of 173 illegal websites, including China's first criminal case involving the illegal distribution of Spring Festival theatrical releases. The system will be expanded to protect micro-dramas and explore safeguarding overseas copyrights of domestic productions.

AI's potential extends even further. Executives from companies at the conference confirmed AI's cost-reduction benefits in film production. Chen Zhe, vice president of Bestlink Technologies Co. Ltd., noted that AI has reduced promotional video costs from 200,000 yuan ($28,100) to under 10,000 yuan. The technology also eliminates the need for in-person reshoots by generating style-matched content and can even emulate specific screenwriters' styles by analyzing their previous works.

Bestlink has established a joint venture with the Dongyang government, offering seven major services including AI content creation, AI special effects and AI comic adaptation. For AI special effects, complex visual elements like fire, ice and face replacement can be rapidly generated. The technology can also bulk-produce music free from copyright disputes, significantly surpassing the efficiency of traditional production methods.

iQiyi founder Gong Yu believes AI has already triggered profound impacts on the industry. "Artificial intelligence is truly dazzling," he said."Over the past month, numerous large models have emerged, representing disruptive advancements from a technical perspective. The film and television industry has long complained about issues like poor controllability, instability and inconsistency, but a lot of people may not have realized that in the last three to four weeks, many of these problems have already been resolved."

Gong expects the industry structure to shift from a pyramid to a dumbbell model, where top creators gain value with AI support, and hands-on roles like set workers remain, while mid-level positions including junior screenwriters, actors and producers face major challenges.

Industry leaders, executives and guests launch the AI Film and Television Industry Ecosystem and Services Operation Center during the Hengdian Film & Television Cultural Industry Development Conference in Dongyang, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, Oct. 31, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the 2025 Hengdian Film & TV Festival Organizing Committee]

"For the film and television industry, if we view AI with a positive attitude, this could be a particularly good opportunity that might help narrow the gap with Hollywood, and even achieve parallel development or leapfrogging in the coming years," Gong Yu said. "The film and television industry has been given another chance by AI."

Hengdian Group is set to address industry transformation through its AI Film and Television Industry Ecosystem and Services Operation Center. The center builds a complete service system covering data circulation, scenario development, application promotion and standard formulation, providing comprehensive support from technical adaptation to practical implementation while creating a nationally leading AI film and television industry ecosystem.

The company has clearly stated it will promote the deep integration of 5G, virtual production, digital twins and AI, with the goal of establishing "smart film and television benchmarks." The Dongyang government also plans to create application scenarios such as AI-based location modeling and micro-drama production, transforming AI from an auxiliary tool into a core productive force.

Hengdian-produced films demonstrated strong performance in 2025, with nine titles including "Article 20" and "The Wandering Earth II" — primarily invested in or co-produced by enterprises based in Hengdian — winning numerous awards. Internationally, 10 companies presented over 20 Hengdian productions in Hong Kong, attracting foreign distributors. The effectiveness of technological empowerment is clearly evident as AI enhances global reach through multilingual adaptation and cross-cultural optimization.

A police officer introduces an AI-powered monitoring system for film and TV copyright infringement during the Hengdian Film & Television Cultural Industry Development Conference in Dongyang, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, Oct. 31, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the 2025 Hengdian Film & TV Festival Organizing Committee]

This year marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the preparatory phase for the 15th Five-Year Plan, presenting both significant opportunities and challenges for the film and TV industry. Conference participants also committed to deeper integration of content and technology, aiming to build an audience-centered ecosystem that produces critically acclaimed and commercially successful works.