AI Revolutionizes Filmmaking in China with Virtual Production and Intelligent Studios

China’s film industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced virtual production technologies. Studios across the country are adopting these tools to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock new creative possibilities, fundamentally changing how films and television shows are made.

Virtual Production Gains Momentum

A growing number of filmmakers in China are turning to AI-powered virtual production, exemplified by facilities like Versatile Media in Deqing, Zhejiang Province. This studio features the world’s largest single-structure LED screen, enabling the creation of immersive environments. A recent project involved digitally recreating the main stadium of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park, complete with virtual spectators, for a Hong Kong football-themed film.

“Shooting on location is difficult and expensive, especially for long periods,” noted Niu Cong, a project coordinator with Versatile Media. “The virtual studio, with its ample space and systemic advantages, fulfills creative needs. That’s why we bring a whole stadium indoors.”

Efficiency and Cost Savings

The shift towards virtual production offers substantial benefits in terms of efficiency and cost reduction. Traditionally, building sets for period dramas could take months, with a significant portion ultimately discarded. Now, virtual assets can be stored in digital libraries for reuse, streamlining the process. Lighting and coordination are similarly simplified through virtual environments.

automated platforms are being implemented to rapidly swap scenes, boosting shooting efficiency by up to 55% and reducing large-scale set costs by as much as 90%.

Advanced Studios and AI-Generated Content

Beyond virtual studios, specialized facilities are emerging. In Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, a film and television base has constructed a large constant-temperature water scene filming studio. Utilizing digital intelligence technologies, this studio can simulate over 200 wave types, with a width of 35 meters and wave heights reaching 3 meters. The studio also features underwater filming capabilities and precise water temperature control.

The Deqing film facility is also expanding into AI-generated short dramas, with plans for 89 such projects in the current year, leveraging its own AI platform.

Industry-Wide Impact and Future Outlook

Since its opening in July 2025, the Deqing facility has hosted over 30 film projects and attracted nearly 10 companies seeking to establish operations there in 2026. This reflects a broader trend of AI integration across the Chinese film industry.

“The application of AI technology is not just an innovation at the tool level. It also brings a revolution to the filmmaking workflow,” said Wang Shu with the China Science Writers Association. “AI-powered film and TV creation will further propel the industry toward greater efficiency and intelligence.”

The adoption of AI and virtual production technologies is poised to continue reshaping the Chinese film industry, fostering greater innovation and efficiency in the years to come.