Chongqing - "Stunning visuals; you can tell this was made by artists."

"The level of detail is incredible. Sometimes you can't even tell it was generated by AI."

"It opens up a whole new world. The future of AI cinema is bright."

These are just some of the reactions from netizens and critics following the premiere of Hot-blooded Tribe, the first AI-produced film from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SCFAI), which launched on September 8 on major streaming platforms including iQiyi and Youku.

Movie poster of Hot-blooded Tribe. (Photo/The Interviewee)

The film is a joint production between SCFAI's China Digital Art and Image Center and Yunnan Xiubaba Film Production Co., Ltd. The creative team features Pang Maokun, President of SCFAI and Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, as artistic consultant; Wu Quan as director; Zhou Zongkai, Dean of SCFAI's School of Film and Television Animation, as planner; and Zhai Jiandong, Associate Professor and Director of the Film Photography and Production Department at SCFAI, as producer, AI director and artistic director.

Set against the backdrop of the fall of the Nanzhao Kingdom in the late Tang Dynasty, Hot-blooded Tribe tells the story of the Wengka, a tribe living peacefully in the southwestern rainforest. When the rising Shizhao tribe encroaches on their lands and threatens their survival, the warrior Mulangge rises to defend his people. With exceptional archery skills and a mastery of jungle warfare, he leads the resistance to protect his homeland.

The film was produced entirely using AI digital imaging technology, vividly recreating the region's tropical rainforests and cave landscapes while incorporating native wildlife such as Asian elephants and clouded leopards. Rather than serving merely as a post-production tool, AI was integrated throughout the creative process, from pre-production planning and narrative development to visual style exploration. AI-assisted tools were also used to generate character movements and atmospheric lighting, providing an efficient and cost-effective visual solution.

According to Zhai Jiandong, the project also represents a landmark achievement in SCFAI's integrated teaching-research-production model. Graduate students were deeply involved in core creative tasks, including AI-assisted visual design, concept art and digital character generation. "In character design and scene construction, AI tools can rapidly iterate creative ideas, but the final artistic quality and emotional expression still depend on the creators' deep understanding of art," Zhai noted. "This 'human-machine collaboration' model has given our faculty and students a more intuitive understanding of the future of artistic creation."

A still from Hot-blooded Tribe. (Photo/The Interviewee)

The project enabled students to develop teamwork, innovation, and social responsibility while gaining hands-on experience with AI applications in real production environments, enhancing both their technical skills and artistic judgment. SCFAI plans to launch more "AI + film" projects moving forward, further advancing its creative research capabilities and contributions to both film production and talent development.

Hot-blooded Tribe has also secured a network broadcast license. It has initiated overseas distribution simultaneously, with plans to launch on global platforms including Apple TV, Google TV, and Amazon in March 2027. The film will be available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Arabic, and is expected to reach audiences in over 100 countries and regions worldwide.