China Wit Media's Zhu Zhili Leads AI Video Production Boom

China is evolving its approach to AI-generated video, transitioning from a technology experiment to a burgeoning production industry. Cities and industrial parks are competing to attract AI filmmakers by providing incentives such as subsidized computing and rent support.

Zhu Zhili, head of the AI-Generated Content department at China Wit Media in Shenzhen, reported that he is being approached by various cities seeking to attract his business. The production costs for AI-generated short dramas have dramatically decreased, from approximately 5,000 yuan ($747) per minute in early 2026 to just a few hundred yuan.

For instance, a conventional wedding scene that would typically cost around 60,000 yuan can now be recreated with AI for about 1,400 yuan. This shift allows producers to test ideas and create short-form content without the extensive resources required for traditional filmmaking.

Chinese technology companies are also developing tools to support this industry, with models like Kling and Seedance being competitive internationally.