AI short films surge in China, displacing actors

The rapid rise of AI-generated content is significantly impacting the short film industry in China, leading to job displacement for many actors. According to the China Online Audio-visual Association (CNSA), approximately 128,000 short films were released in the first quarter of 2026, with over 95%—roughly 122,000 works—being created using AI. This represents a massive increase from the previous year, when the proportion was nearly zero.

Actors such as 30-year-old Xu Peng, who previously gained popularity through online short films, have reported being forced out of the industry due to AI integration. Xu has transitioned to selling vegetables to make a living. Similarly, 28-year-old Zhang Xiaolei, who had appeared in approximately 200 short films, has returned to farming in Qinghai after facing unemployment.

The short film model, which traditionally provided opportunities for unknown actors by requiring large numbers of performers and crews at low costs, is being disrupted as AI replaces human elements in production, including imagery and various technical roles.