"Technology rooted in Changning, scenarios deployed worldwide." This description perfectly captures Changning's ongoing innovation drive.Inside digital ncubators, research teams explore applications for superconducting materials. At the East Hongqiao International Youth Innovation Center, several post-90s founders pursue tech startups under the lightweight OPC (one-person company) model. Former factory buildings at Tongchuang 717 and Suhehui nurture cutting-edge technologies amid urban renewal. Hongqiao Zhiyu has become an industrial testbed for intelligent agents and embodied intelligence. These spaces together form Changning's innovation cluster.

This is the eighth stop of our serial reports on Changning's incubators: iQiyi AIGC Creative Center Shanghai, a digital dream factory for film and video creation.As new technologies ease production burdens, OPC micro-teams have emerged as a dynamic new force in the content industry. Equipped with diverse office spaces, a massive IP library, professional production support and reliable monetization channels, the center frees OPC creators from operational burdens so they can focus on polishing high-quality stories.

Attracting New Industry Talent: iQiyi Launches Its First AIGC Film Creation Base

Housed in iQiyi Innovation Tower Shanghai, the creative center features multi-function halls and training rooms. It supports daily creation as well as industry salons, roadshows and other professional events. Focusing on premium film and television content, it lowers thresholds for resource matching and post-production.

"A growing number of OPC creative teams have settled here, with new arrivals every month. They include professional screenwriters, directors, contest winners, as well as student entrepreneurs majoring in film and media," said a staffer from iQiyi Creator Operations Department.Admission follows an application and review system. Teams are evaluated on creative strength and commercial potential. Successful applicants receive a full package of startup support.

Beyond premium workspace, the center taps into iQiyi's IP resources, digital asset library, business networks and creator community to deliver end-to-end support covering content development, operation and commercial cooperation.

Dual Support of Space and Resources Turns Creative Ideas Into Reality

Zhou Hao, founder of OPC team Shanghai Xiawan, said the center solved his biggest production troubles."In one short film, we shot a rainy night scene with strangers helping each other in an old alley. Traditional on-location shooting would cost a fortune on venue rental and set building. The center provided ready-made digital scenes and storyboard tools. We only needed to refine narrative rhythm and emotional expression.""The final footage exceeded expectations. We no longer waste energy on trivial production work and can devote ourselves entirely to storytelling."

Li Jun leads Kunzhao Image, another OPC team specializing in short films and animation."Since moving in, we have gained steady production assistance and compliance guidance. It helps us cut long lead times, high costs and over-reliance on large crews." Her team recently finished an animated short with consistent artistic style and stunning visual quality.

Another core advantage is iQiyi's long-form video resources. Creators gain access to licensable novels, scripts and comics to avoid creative bottlenecks. The open digital asset library offers ready-to-use virtual scenes and props, so teams do not need to build environments from scratch.

Mentorship and Hands-On Training Cultivate a New Generation of Filmmakers

High-quality productions demand stronger professional capabilities. The center has built a complete development model featuring top-tier mentorship paired with real project practice.

In September 2025, iQiyi partnered with Oscar-winning cinematographer Peter Pau to launch the Peter Pau iQiyi AI Theater program. Sixteen teams were selected from more than 500 global applicants for intensive training and completed short films under Pau's full guidance.This May, the two sides opened submissions for the Peter Pau iQiyi Cinema Project for commercial feature films. Selected projects will receive Pau's full creative supervision plus investment, promotion and distribution support from iQiyi. The program plans to produce 10 Chinese-language feature films longer than 60 minutes.

The first AI film creation camp kicked off in May. The five-day training covered screenwriting, directing and production technology. Seventy-two participants finished 29 short films, turning theories into finished works. The center will keep hosting salons, summits and master classes with renowned directors, producers and IP authors.

"I once thought AI only generated visuals. After the training, I realize storytelling is still the core, while AI is merely a production tool," Zhou Hao said. The camp filled his gaps in cinematography, shooting techniques and distribution strategy. He also connected with peers to spark new creative ideas.

Monetization Channels and Policy Support Let Creators Focus on Creation

The center has built a full industrial chain from content production to revenue generation. It provides platform-wide distribution, promotional resources and targeted traffic to expand audience reach.

Local government policies further fuel development. Changning rolled out a comprehensive innovation package, including project rewards, streamlined licensing, startup subsidies, talent housing and funding for major events.Changning Administration for Market Regulation set up a dedicated green channel for the center. Specialized staff handle applications, and the venue is included in the Cloud Address registration system. Business license paperwork has been simplified to accelerate project launch.

The social media era made self-expression accessible to everyone. Now the platform era enables micro teams to produce high-end film works.Going forward, iQiyi AIGC Creative Center Shanghai will attract more outstanding creators. Backed by iQiyi’s IP ecosystem and creator community, it will keep producing premium film and television content and build a sustainable system for creator growth and content production.