China's first feature film produced entirely through an AI workflow, Sanxingdui: Future Past, has arrived in domestic cinemas, DoNews reports. The film is described as the country's first theatrical release made with AI across its full production process.
Its commercial start has been slow. According to Phoenix Finance (凤凰网财经), the movie took in 1.15 million yuan over its first three days in theaters, a result the outlet characterized as a cold reception. The Paper (澎湃新闻) interviewed the creative team about the production, covering topics including the workflow, ticket pricing, revenue-sharing arrangements, audience response and the use of a "cloud film set."
Daily Economic News (每日经济新闻) reported a contrast between the film's box office performance and the business behind it: the producer's AI division posted a gross margin of 96.8 percent. The same outlet noted that Bona Film Group, the company involved, saw its shares hit the daily upward limit three times before the release.
The coverage also touched on the wider question of how AI-made films fit into the market. Sohu carried remarks from Jiang Defu (蒋德富) arguing that only self-revolution can produce good films across more genres.
What to watch next: whether the film's box office holds up past its opening weekend, and how the producer's AI business develops following the release.
