iQIYI announced more than 350 new productions for 2026-27 and unveiled an upgraded marketing system at its 2026 iJOY Conference in Shanghai on Wednesday.
The event highlighted the company's plans to apply AI to content production, strengthen its creator ecosystem, and expand brand marketing.
Gong Yu, founder and CEO of iQIYI, said the company will focus on using AI to empower live-action feature films and AIGC films, building a healthy creator ecosystem and exploring new forms of AI-enabled content.
Gong also outlined iQIYI's plans to build a community connecting film and television creators with audiences. The platform is developing seven creator service systems to provide practical support and help creators gain visibility, income, and recognition.
Wang Xiaohui, chief content officer of iQIYI, said the Chinese film and television industry is undergoing major changes. As more people become involved in content creation, audiences become more diverse and viewers place greater value on emotional experiences. These changes, he said, will create more room for diverse content and help the industry move beyond narrow creative approaches and traditional production models.
As AI tools become increasingly accessible, Wang said, more people will be able to participate in content creation, bringing new momentum to the industry.
The new lineup includes more than 40 long-form dramas, with realistic stories focusing on authentic portrayals and emotional resonance. The classical Chinese IP Kongque Dongnanfei (The Peacock Flies Southeast), directed by Xin Shuang and starring Tang Wei, Qin Hao, and Jiang Qiming, is among the upcoming titles.
iQIYI also announced its first long-form AI seasonal drama featuring real actors, Buxian Yuanyang, Zhixian Xian (Immortals Over Lovers), which will debut in the fourth quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, iQIYI has partnered with Oscar-winning cinematographer Peter Pau to launch the "Peter Pau · iQIYI Film Theater", bringing AIGC from short-film experiments toward commercial feature-film production. Nine projects were selected from more than 100 submissions worldwide, covering genres including adventure, suspense, action, modern romance, and animation.
During the conference, it was also announced that the 2026 iQIYI Scream Night is scheduled for Dec 5 at Galaxy Arena in Macao. The annual event will bring together content and creators to highlight the year's entertainment achievements and industry trends.
iQIYI also said it will continue to expand content in animation, children's programming, documentaries, and sports to cater to a wider range of interests and audience needs.
