Chinese film stocks rise amid interest in AI series
Photo: Huace Film & TV, official company website
Shares in Chinese film and television companies rose sharply on November 2. According to Gelonghui's intraday bulletin, Huace Film & TV was up more than 16% and Enlight Media nearly 10%, while Bona Film Group and Shanghai Film reached their daily upper limits of approximately 10%. These were figures during trading, not the day's final results.
By the close, the rally had spread across the sector: according to 21st Century Business Herald, the film sector index gained more than 9%. The newspaper points to interest in short series made with artificial intelligence as a possible catalyst. This is, however, an interpretation of the market movement rather than an established reason for the rise of each individual company.
National Business Daily also highlights AI content and a recovery in sentiment following the previous week's decline in share prices. The newspaper cites estimates for individual projects: a live-action microdrama can cost around 1.5 million yuan and take four to six weeks to produce, while some AI series can be made for under 200,000 yuan in three to five days. These are examples of calculations, not a uniform price across the industry. For producers and rights holders, that difference offers a less expensive way to try new stories and formats.
Huace itself already has a specific project in this field. On October 13, at the MIPCOM television market in Cannes, the company presented a trailer for an animated series inspired by the novel Journey to the West. According to Huace, the 3D animation is being created entirely with AI; the project is being developed through its collaboration with Utopai Studios and is scheduled for release in 2027. The company is also considering a feature-length version for cinemas. There are thus real production plans behind the stock-market interest, but whether those plans will translate into revenue remains to be seen.
Sources: Gelonghui, 21st Century Business Herald / Eastmoney, National Business Daily, Huace Film & TV
