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[TECHNOLOGY] · China · 4 sources

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Part of situation: Release of China's first AI-generated feature film (3 clusters)

Sanxingdui: Future Past, China’s first AI-generated film, flops at box office

Sanxingdui: Future Past Bona Film Group AI-generated cinema Chinese box office Niu Lai

Sanxingdui: Future Past, billed as China’s first fully AI-generated theatrical feature, has failed to find an audience at the box office. Produced by Bona Film Group, the science fiction thriller cost approximately $1.5 million to develop over a two-year period. Despite being scheduled for more than 10,000 screenings, the film earned roughly 1.21 million yuan (approximately $181,000) in its initial run.

The production involved nearly 100 human collaborators who managed creative concepts, story development, and artistic direction, even though the characters, voices, and backgrounds were AI-generated. Reports indicate extremely low attendance, with some screenings averaging only two viewers and theater occupancy rates falling to 0.1%.

The film’s performance stands in stark contrast to Niu Lai, a low-budget animated film made by a mother and son for approximately $200. While Niu Lai was criticized for its crude animation, it became an online sensation and has since earned nearly $10 million.

Entities

Bona Film Group · Jiang Defu · Niu Lai · Sanxingdui: Future Past · Xin Yumeng

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What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

China's first AI-generated film to get a theatrical release flops at the box office [wdctv.news]
Primera película china hecha con IA decepciona en su estreno y preocupa a la industria [www.diariodemorelos.com]
China’s first fully AI movie flops months after ‘worse than AI’ film makes millions [www.dexerto.com]
An AI-generated movie flopped in China despite its budget and Hollywood must take notes [www.digitaltrends.com]