China's first AI-generated feature film 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' set for October 23 release
Bona Film Group announced on September 27 that 'Sanxingdui: Future Past,' China's first AI-generated hyper-realistic theatrical film, will be released nationwide on October 23, 2026. The 100-minute feature was created using the Boka Film Cloud Studio platform, with all characters being original digital creations. AI handled image generation and execution, while Bona's AIGMS team managed creative direction. The project involved over 1.2 million base images and two years of development.
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Bona Film Group's AI-Generated Feature 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' Set for October 2026 Release
On September 27, Bona Film Group announced that 'Sanxingdui: Future Past,' billed as China's first AI-generated hyper-realistic theatrical film, will be released nationwide on October 23, 2026. The 100-minute feature is produced by Bona subsidiaries and created using the Boka Film Cloud Studio platform. All characters are original digital creations, with no real actor digital replicas used. AI handled image generation and execution, while Bona's AIGMS team managed creative direction following standard film industry workflows. The project involved over 1.2 million base images and hundreds of full-film iterations over two years. The story follows seven ancient Shu symbols on Sanxingdui artifacts as clues for a sci-fi adventure spanning 3,000 years, linking ancient binary codes to a future AI crisis. The film previously debuted an international trailer at the Cannes Film Festival. Bona established its AIGMS production center in late 2023 and has since made AI film and TV a core business segment. The company's first-half 2026 losses narrowed 84% year-on-year, with operating cash flow turning positive. A prior short-form AI series 'Sanxingdui: Future Revelation' garnered over 200 million views and multiple international awards.
Read sourceChina's First AI Hyper-Realistic Theatrical Film 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' to Release October 23, 2026
According to Bona Film Group, the first AI hyper-realistic theatrical film in China, titled 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' (三星堆：未来往事), is officially scheduled for nationwide release on October 23, 2026. The film has a runtime of 100 minutes and is the first domestic film to use AI technology to obtain a public screening license from the National Film Administration. Produced using the Boka Film Cloud Studio, all characters are original digital creations without replicating real actors. AI handles generation and execution, while creative initiation and judgment are managed by the Bona AIGMS team following standard film industry workflows, as reported by People's Financial News.
China's First AI Hyper-Realistic Cinema Film 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' Set for October 23 Release
According to an article on East Money's industry economy channel, the film 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' is scheduled for release on October 23. It is described as China's first AI-produced film to receive a public screening license from the National Film Administration. The 100-minute feature uses hyper-realistic imagery to blend the ancient Shu civilization with a futuristic world, creating a new sci-fi genre. All characters are original digital creations, with no real actors. The AI handled generation and execution, while the Bona AIGMS team managed creative direction following standard film industry workflows. The plot revolves around decoding ancient mysteries from the Sanxingdui site, linking the civilization's warnings to humanity's reliance on super AI. The film features hyper-realistic depictions of artifacts like bronze sacred trees and masks, and imagines ancient palaces and cosmic scenes. The production team spent two years on technical exploration, using over 1.2 million base images and numerous iterations. The film was previously showcased at the Cannes Film Festival with an international concept trailer, aiming to spark global curiosity about Sanxingdui. The film is produced by Bona Film Group.
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China's first AI-produced feature film 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' gets release date
The 100-minute film 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' is China's first AI-produced feature film to receive a national release permit from the National Film Administration. Produced by Boka Film Cloud Studio, all characters are original digital creations without real actors. The film uses hyper-realistic imagery to blend ancient Shu civilization with a futuristic world, creating a new sci-fi genre. The plot revolves around seven Sanxingdui bronze artifacts and an ancient code, exploring humanity's dependence on super AI. Iconic artifacts like the Bronze Sacred Tree and Bronze Standing Figure appear in hyper-realistic detail. The film premiered at Cannes with an international concept trailer. Producers aim to spark global curiosity about Sanxingdui and present Chinese culture through a cinematic story. The film was made by the Bona AIGMS team following standard film industry workflows, with AI handling generation and execution while humans directed creative decisions.
Read sourceChina's First AI-Generated Ultra-Realistic Theatrical Film 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' to Release on October 23
According to a report from People's Financial Information on September 27, cited by East Money Business Observation, the film 'Sanxingdui: Future Past' is set for nationwide release on October 23. With a runtime of 100 minutes, it is described as China's first theatrical film produced using AI technology to obtain a public screening permit from the National Film Administration. The film was generated and produced by the Boka Film Cloud Set platform. All characters are original digital creations, not digital replicas of real actors. AI handled generation and execution, while the creative initiation and judgment were carried out by the Bona AIGMS team following standard film industry workflows. The report attributes these details to Bona Film Group's theater chain.
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