iQIYI Premieres First Fully AI-Generated Feature Film

Chinese online entertainment platform iQIYI premiered "Mystic Tales: The Spider Lady's Vendetta" on July 23, 2026.

The film is recognized as China's first AIGC (AI-Generated Content) feature film to receive an Internet Drama and Film Distribution License. Produced entirely through AI tools, its creation marks a notable milestone in the commercial application of long-form AI filmmaking.

"Mystic Tales: The Spider Lady's Vendetta" serves as the opening of the "Mystic Tales Trilogy," a series of AI-generated films inspired by classic Chinese mythology. The narrative follows a protagonist on a quest through a spirit realm to uncover her past. The production involved a team of over 20 AI specialists who managed the entire pipeline, from creative development and visual asset generation to post-production.

Production personnel emphasized that while AI accelerates the process, human creativity and artistic judgment remain central. "AIGC's capacity for rapid iteration allowed us to continuously test different visual directions and validate concepts in a compressed timeframe," stated AI Director Haiyang LIU. Director Xiangcheng ZENG noted that AIGC helps creators overcome traditional production limitations, while Chief Producer Cheng JIANG highlighted AI's role in resolving complex filmmaking challenges and fostering human creativity-AI collaboration.

This premiere represents iQIYI's expanding commitment to AI-driven content creation, building on earlier initiatives like the "Peter Pau x iQIYI AI Theater." The company has also offered incentives for AI content. "Mystic Tales: The Spider Lady's Vendetta" signifies the transition of AI filmmaking from concept to commercial reality, with iQIYI aiming to further develop its AI content ecosystem.