iQIYI has debuted ‘Mystic Tales: The Spider Lady’s Vendetta’, marking China’s first AIGC‑driven feature film. The 60‑minute story brings classical Chinese mythology to life through AI‑generated visuals.

Key Takeaways (मुख्य बिंदु)

  • China's first internet‑licensed AIGC feature film premiered
  • Entire 60‑minute production built by a 20‑person AI‑focused team
  • iQIYI expands its AI‑powered content ecosystem

Beijing – On July 23, 2026, iQIYI exclusively premiered “Mystic Tales: The Spider Lady’s Vendetta” on iQIYI and iQIYI International, becoming China’s first AIGC internet feature film released under an Internet Drama and Film Distribution License. Co‑produced by Beijing Dream Big Innovation Technology and iQIYI, the 60‑minute narrative was created using AI tools throughout the production pipeline, showcasing the commercial viability of long‑form AIGC filmmaking.

The film opens the “Mystic Tales Trilogy,” a series generated entirely by AI that draws on the deep well of classical Chinese mythology. It follows a paper‑master who has lost her memory, journeying with a mysterious guide into a hidden realm between the living and spirit worlds to retrieve three mystical objects that hold her lost truth. The story evolves into a tale of obsession, redemption, and the complexities of human nature, rendered in a distinct Eastern‑gothic aesthetic.

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Historical Background

While AI has been used for visual effects and short‑form content worldwide since the early 2020s, full‑length feature films powered by AI remain rare. In China, early experiments with computer‑generated imagery began in the 1990s, but it was not until 2025 that short‑form AI‑generated series, such as the “Peter Pau x iQIYI AI Theater,” gained traction. “Mystic Tales” bridges the gap between proof‑of‑concept and commercial reality, marking a watershed moment for Chinese cinema.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that AIGC filmmaking can dramatically cut production costs while accelerating creative iteration, allowing smaller studios to compete with major studios on a global stage. This technology also expands audience access to culturally rich, myth‑based storytelling, reinforcing China’s soft‑power export through entertainment.

Moreover, the end‑to‑end AI pipeline demands a hybrid skill set—art, lighting, performance, and technology—pushing industry professionals toward multidisciplinary expertise. As AI models continue to improve scene detail, spatial staging, and character consistency, the collaboration between human imagination and machine intelligence will reshape employment patterns across the film sector.

"AIGC's rapid iteration allowed us to continuously test visual directions and validate concepts within compressed timeframes," said AI Director Haiyang LIU.
Did You Know?: The first AI‑generated short film in China appeared in 2022, but “Mystic Tales” is the inaugural full‑length feature released under a formal internet film license.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What is AIGC?
    A: AIGC stands for Artificial Intelligence‑Generated Content, a process where AI algorithms create text, visuals, or audio without direct human hand‑crafting.
  • Q: How can viewers watch the film?
    A: The film streams exclusively on iQIYI and iQIYI International; users need an active subscription to access it.