From Actors to Editing: China's First 100% AI-Produced Film Set for Summer Release

A movie in which all aspects of production-including actors, video scenes, and editing-are realized through artificial intelligence (AI) is set to be released in China this summer.

According to Chinese media outlets such as Zhonghuawang on April 23, the film is titled 'Soul Wave·Budsaengmong', co-produced by the online video platform iQIYI and Changxin Media. Scheduled for theatrical release this summer, the work is based on the 2014 thriller drama 'Soul Wave.' Every element of production-including character and scene design, visual effects, voice, background music, and post-production editing-was entirely generated using AI.

Movie poster for "Soul Wave·Busaengmong." Captured from Baidu, Yonhap News Agency

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Zhonghuawang described the project as "the first fully AI-generated film to be publicly screened in China." Guo Jingyu and Xiao Jixiangtian, who were responsible for the original 2014 production, oversaw the overall production and screenplay, respectively, managing the core structure of the story. The film has been recognized for demonstrating the potential for changes in filmmaking, as the entire process from content planning to final production was implemented using AI.

However, the film has also sparked several controversies. The Hong Kong media outlet Ming Pao pointed out that Guo Jingyu, who served as executive producer, had previously spoken out against the overuse of AI actors. In the past, he stated, "Why feature fake actors in works that people can perform in?" Local netizens have criticized his leadership in producing an AI-driven film as a "double standard." In response, Guo Jingyu dismissed the criticism, explaining, "This film is an 'efficiency experiment' intended to explore the auxiliary value of AI," and emphasized, "It is not meant to completely replace human acting."

At the same time, some are expressing concerns that, with this film as a catalyst, the spread of AI technology throughout the Chinese film industry could lead to changes in the structure of the film industry, such as a reduced role for actors and production staff.

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