AI theater: Where Oscars meet innovation

Chinese online entertainment platform iQIYI has announced a new initiative with Academy Award-winning cinematographer and director Peter Pau to launch the “Peter Pau × iQIYI AI Theater” Storytelling Lab. The program, unveiled on September 10, is designed to foster a new generation of creators specializing in AI-powered filmmaking under the theme “Your Vision, The Next Dimension.”

The Storytelling Lab builds on iQIYI’s AI Short Film Creation Competition, held globally in July in partnership with Google and ByteDance. While the earlier competition focused on discovering global talent, the new program aims to support professional-level film production by blending advanced AI tools with creative storytelling.

The integration of AI is reshaping content creation and redefining storytelling, said Xiaohui Wang, Chief Content Officer of iQIYI. “Through this collaboration with Peter Pau, we aim to nurture top talents, inspire bold works, and empower creators with the right platforms and opportunities to shape the future of entertainment.”

The program invites submissions for AI-driven films of at least 15 minutes in length. Proposed projects should align with one of three central themes: “Journey to the West”, “Gender, Happiness, and Faith”, and “Truth.” Applications, including initial scripts and film ideas, can be submitted online at ppai.iqiyi.com from September 10 through October 25.

From these entries, 30 teams will be shortlisted for a one-week residency, where they will receive intensive training and mentorship from a faculty led by Peter Pau. Of these, 15 projects will advance to the official production slate of the Peter Pau × iQIYI AI Theater. iQIYI will provide production funding, distribution support, promotional assistance, and continued mentorship for selected works.

Final projects are expected to premiere in the first quarter of 2026 under the AI Theater banner. Creators whose works are showcased will also be entitled to a 30% share of net profits.

Peter Pau, known as the first Hong Kong cinematographer to win an Academy Award and a recipient of multiple Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards, highlighted the significance of the initiative: “AI-generated content is driving a visual revolution and breaking traditional boundaries in filmmaking. With this lab, we aim to create an open platform for creators worldwide to push imagination beyond limits and redefine the future of entertainment.”

Entries will undergo a rigorous evaluation process, with submissions judged on artistic merit, commercial potential, and the seamless integration of AI into the creative process.

Through this initiative, iQIYI aims to combine its global content expertise with advancements in AI, reinforcing its leadership in innovative entertainment and setting new standards for the industry worldwide.