AI short films drive demand for facial authorization, with digital portraits priced at around 100 yuan per unit

According to a report by CCTV Finance, the rapid growth of AI short films and digital advertising has significantly increased demand for digital facial assets. This has led to the rise of a new business model known as 'face authorization,' allowing individuals to monetize their facial images without needing to appear on camera or undergo traditional casting processes. IT Home reported that platform staff noted AI digital personas are categorized into two types: ordinary individuals and professional actors. Data Eye estimates that the AI short film market exceeded 22 billion yuan in the first five months of 2026, with an expected annual total of over 40 billion yuan. In the first quarter, more than 95% of all micro-short films launched were AI-generated.