TLDR: Chinese entertainment giant iQiyi has launched a global short film competition titled ‘Beyond Tools, Toward Teammates,’ inviting creators worldwide to co-direct films with artificial intelligence. The initiative, in partnership with Google and ByteDance’s Volcano Engine, provides free access to cutting-edge AI tools like Google Veo 3 and ByteDance’s Seedance 1.0 Pro. The competition aims to accelerate AI adoption in visual storytelling, foster innovation, and redefine creative possibilities, with submissions open until September 30, 2025.
iQiyi, a leading online entertainment platform, has officially announced the launch of its ambitious global short film competition, ‘Beyond Tools, Toward Teammates.’ This groundbreaking initiative invites creators from around the world to explore the evolving landscape of digital storytelling by co-directing films with artificial intelligence. The competition, also referred to as the ‘Co-Creation with AI’ or ‘Coexist with AI’ Short Film Competition, is organized by iQiyi International in strategic partnership with tech giants Google and ByteDance’s Volcano Engine.
The primary objective of the competition is to accelerate the adoption of advanced AI creative tools in visual storytelling, empowering creators to innovate and streamline their creative processes while focusing on artistic expression. Participants will be granted exclusive, free access to state-of-the-art AI tools, including Google Veo 3, an AI video generation model, and ByteDance’s Doubao Seedance 1.0 Pro, a video generation model available through its Volcano Engine platform. These tools are designed to provide unprecedented creative possibilities for filmmakers.
Liu Wenfeng, President of Infrastructure and Intelligent Content Distribution Business Group (IIG) at iQiyi, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in the creative domain. He stated, ‘Rapid advancements in AI technology are redefining the essence of creation itself. AI is not merely a tool but a collaborative creative partner. The ‘Co-Creation with AI’ Short Film Competition is more than just a contest—it’s a forward-looking declaration aimed at empowering creativity through technology and reshaping industries through innovation.’ This competition is a tangible example of iQiyi’s broader AI strategy, which involves embedding AI across all facets of its entertainment operations. The company has already seen significant success, with an internally developed AI application generating 640,000 short videos over the past year, accumulating a staggering 10.8 billion views across iQiyi’s platforms.
The competition is open to global AI creative enthusiasts, whether individuals or teams of up to five people, who possess basic video production skills and familiarity with at least one AI creative tool. Submissions must be original works, ranging from short dramas and animations to vertical micro-dramas, with a duration between 1 and 5 minutes (excluding opening and closing credits). Entries must be delivered in full HD (1080p or higher), include both Chinese and English subtitles, and crucially, leverage AI tools for at least 70% of their creative content.
The competition timeline is structured with clear phases: registration and submissions commenced on July 15, 2025, and will close on September 30, 2025. An initial review for eligibility and compliance will take place from October 1 to October 15, followed by expert final judging and public display from October 16 to October 30. Winners are slated to be announced in mid to late November 2025 on the official competition website, with winning entries showcased on iQiyi International.
Judges, including distinguished academics and industry experts such as Professor Ai Shengying, Professor Ma Hua, and Professor Shen Yang, will evaluate entries based on four key criteria: Creativity (40%), Technical Application (30%), Artistic Expression (20%), and Thematic Expression (10%). Generous prizes await the winners, with the First Prize receiving USD $3,000, Second Prize winners (3) receiving USD $1,500 each, and Third Prize winners (5) receiving USD $600 each. Additionally, two special awards, ‘Best Creative Award’ and ‘Best Narrative Award,’ will each grant USD $800.
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The announcement of this competition has already garnered positive market attention, with iQiyi Inc. shares rising 1.09% in premarket trading, signaling investor confidence in the company’s AI-driven growth strategy.
