On September 10, 2025, iQIYI, a leading online entertainment platform in China, announced the launch of the “Peter Pau × iQIYI AI Theater” Storytelling Lab. This innovative initiative, in collaboration with Academy Award-winning cinematographer Peter Pau, aims to foster a new generation of filmmakers skilled in AI-driven storytelling. The program is themed “Your Vision, The Next Dimension” and is designed to enhance iQIYI’s leadership in shaping the future of film.
The Storytelling Lab follows iQIYI’s global AI Short Film Creation Competition held in July 2025, which was conducted in partnership with Google and ByteDance. This new venture extends the platform’s focus from discovering global talent to supporting professional-level film production. “AI is reshaping every facet of content creation at iQIYI, redefining the very way stories are told,” said Xiaohui Wang, Chief Content Officer of iQIYI.
The initiative invites creators to submit proposals for AI-driven films with a minimum length of 15 minutes. Themes for submissions include “Journey to the West,” “Gender, Happiness, and Faith,” and “Truth.” Interested participants can register and submit their ideas and initial scripts on the official event website, https://ppai.iqiyi.com/, from September 10 through October 25, 2025.
From the submissions, thirty teams will be selected for a one-week residency, where they will receive mentorship from an expert team led by Peter Pau. Following this residency, fifteen standout projects will move on to the official production slate of the “Peter Pau × iQIYI AI Theater.” iQIYI will provide comprehensive support for production, distribution, promotion, and continued mentorship from Pau. The final works are expected to premiere in the first quarter of 2026, with creators eligible for a 30% share of net profits.
Peter Pau, notable for being the first cinematographer from Hong Kong to win an Oscar and recipient of various accolades at the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards, expressed enthusiasm for the project. He stated, “AIGC is unleashing a visual revolution, transforming how stories are told and breaking the traditional limits of filmmaking. With the launch of the AI Storytelling Lab, we aim to create an open platform where creators worldwide can harness AI to push imagination beyond boundaries and redefine the future of entertainment.”
The program will feature a rigorous evaluation system, with a committee including Peter Pau judging submissions based on artistic and commercial merit, as well as the effective integration of AI technologies in the creative process. Through this initiative, iQIYI is not only redefining entertainment boundaries but also setting a new standard for the global film industry by merging top-tier content expertise with cutting-edge AI innovation.
