Zhang yimou addresses ai's impact on cinema, citing billions in short video revenue as a major industry challenge

During the 39th China Film Golden Rooster Award Golden Rooster and International Film Festival Dialogue in Xiamen, Zhang Yimou shared his perspective on the influence of artificial intelligence on the film industry. He noted that the revenue generated by AI-driven short videos has reached billions, posing a significant challenge to traditional cinema attendance. Zhang Yimou expressed uncertainty regarding the future, questioning how the industry should adapt when AI technology surpasses human capabilities in the coming years. He advised young directors to focus on self-improvement, continuous learning, and sharing their most heartfelt stories with genuine passion. Separately, on November 5, a representative from the National Radio and Television Administration in Beijing clarified the agency's stance on micro-dramas, stating a clear policy of supporting live-action productions while regulating AI-generated ones. This official noted that AI is causing a systemic transformation across the entire micro-drama chain, from scriptwriting and production to distribution and international operations, urging the industry to utilize AI as an engine for innovation.