AI short film production costs plummet: industry shifts focus to content and market

According to a report by CCTV Finance, AI short film production has experienced a significant price drop this year due to lowered technical barriers and increased industry participation. The cost per minute for standard AI short films has fallen from 5,000 yuan to hundreds of yuan, nearing the cost line. However, custom short films remain at a rate of 10,000 to 20,000 yuan per minute. As production capabilities become more widespread, the industry is shifting its competitive focus from quantity and price to content quality and market reach. Data indicates that the domestic AI drama and animation market is projected to exceed 40 billion yuan in 2026, representing a 138% year-on-year growth. Overseas markets are also showing strong performance, with an estimated scale surpassing 4 billion U.S. dollars (approximately 269.38 billion yuan at current exchange rates), accounting for nearly 70% of the global micro-short film market.