'Sanxingdui: Future Past' Becomes China's First AI-Original Feature to Obtain Public Screening License

In his first livestream, Chinese director Lu Chuan directly addressed the controversy around his film The 749th Boundary. The film, made over six years with an investment of 300 million yuan, was poorly received by audiences and at the box office. Lu did not avoid the setback and instead discussed the auxiliary role of AI. He said AI is an efficiency-boosting tool that can handle mechanical tasks such as organizing materials and generating drafts, but cannot replace authentic visual texture or the core craft of storytelling. He also said AI still cannot match the texture produced by professional cameras, and that a real cinematic feel still relies on live-action shooting.

Lu also revealed that his team's Sanxingdui: Future Past has obtained China's first public screening license for an AI-original feature film. According to Lu, AI was deeply involved in the film's story architecture, visual design and camera language. The license marked a step for AI-generated imagery from experimental shorts to theatrical-grade industrialization. In addition, the team plans to explore AI applications in stage performance with a 2.0 version of the dance drama Tiangong Kaiwu. Lu said he has also been following the use of AI in concept design, previsualization and post-production effects.

Lu said he began experimenting with AI creation in 2023, adding that his views at the time were almost the same as now, rather than entering the field only after AI topics became popular.