iQIYI Hosts First Virtual Production Open Day, Revolutionizing Filmmaking with AI Technology

iQIYI's Virtual Production Open Day: A New Era of Filmmaking

On November 2, 2025, iQIYI, China's premier online entertainment platform, successfully conducted its first-ever Virtual Production Open Day in Hengdian, Zhejiang Province. With nearly 200 film and television professionals in attendance, the event highlighted how advancements in technology—including AI—are transforming the filmmaking landscape.

Liang Zhu, Vice President of iQIYI and Head of Intelligent Production, revealed the platform's strategic approach to virtual production. By focusing on user-friendly and efficient tools for creators, iQIYI is fostering innovation and collaboration within the industry. This inaugural event further solidified iQIYI's position as a leader in technological advancement in the entertainment space.

Significant Growth and Accessibility

2025 marked a noteworthy year for iQIYI, with the company’s virtual production projects increasing a staggering 125% compared to the previous year. This growth represents iQIYI's influence in redefining production techniques and enhancing the overall filmmaking process. Notably, the organization executed its first full-cycle collaboration for a major theatrical film, marking a milestone in its journey.

A key aspect of this transformation is the significant reduction of production costs. iQIYI slashed daily studio rates to RMB 35,000, making advanced virtual production technologies more accessible for filmmakers. Since 2021, iQIYI has pioneered the use of virtual production in commercial drama series, successfully powering over a dozen projects. Innovations within iQIYI’s toolkit include patented solutions for color and lighting matching, an automatic compensation algorithm for virtual depth of field, and waterproof rotating platforms — all establishing new industry benchmarks.

Showcasing the IQStage Platform

One of the highlights of the Open Day was the demonstration of iQIYI's award-winning IQStage virtual production platform. This advanced solution integrates custom hardware with over 20 patented technologies, driving immersive and efficient filmmaking experiences not just in China but globally. During the event, creators from various fields—including directors and visual effects supervisors—shared their insights on how virtual production enhances storytelling, elevates creative control, and allows for the realization of ambitious scenes.

This technology merges artistic imagination with advanced capabilities, granting filmmakers a powerful tool to visualize and modify shots in real time during production. The discussions centered around the theme that successful virtual production relies on the synergy between creative and technical teams. To further support this ecosystem, iQIYI offers competitively priced studio time alongside extensive production services, facilitating collaboration across the creative spectrum.

The Role of AI in Future Productions

The advancement of virtual production is expedited by iQIYI's innovative integration of AI technologies. Features such as automated concept art generation and advanced 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) scene scanning are designed to streamline every aspect of the filmmaking process. An upcoming series titled "Shadow Punisher" exemplifies this innovation, blending AI-generated digital assets with 3D-printed physical props in a seamless fusion of digital and physical elements.

iQIYI boasts a proprietary digital asset library containing over 30,000 items. This extensive resource not only empowers virtual production and visual effects but also extends to immersive VR/XR experiences and gaming development, solidifying iQIYI's role as a cross-industry innovator.

Liang Zhu pointed out the importance of adopting virtual production techniques during the early stages of decision-making in creative projects. This approach encourages teams to innovate right from the script-writing phase, exploring the potential of these technologies to achieve groundbreaking creative outputs.

Through a commitment to industrialized, intelligent practices, iQIYI is dedicated to advancing the realm of film and television production in China. By empowering creators to explore new artistic horizons, the platform is paving the way for the next generation of storytelling in the digital age.