The unveiling ceremony for the new institute of Jilin Animation Institute. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The Institute of Industrial Aesthetics for Film, Games, and Animation at Jilin Animation Institute was officially unveiled on April 19 during the Technical Forum of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival. The event gathered leading filmmakers, AI experts, industry pioneers, and scholars to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the film industry.

The launch marks the establishment of a high-level research platform in China dedicated to the intersection of film, games, animation, and industrial aesthetics. Built on the institute's strong foundation as a national base for animation education and industry, the new platform aims to integrate academic research with industry practice.

Professor Chen Xuguang, director of the Institute of Film, Television and Theater at Peking University, has been appointed dean and chief expert. The institute will focus on developing interdisciplinary theories and innovation frameworks, while exploring a globally relevant system for film and digital content creation rooted in China's context.

Liu Zhenhua, executive president of Jilin Animation Institute, noted that the institute will draw on traditional Chinese culture to tell compelling stories, cultivate talent with both artistic vision and industrial thinking, and contribute to the global reach of Chinese cinema.

The roundtable discussions during the film festival. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The forum also featured project showcases, keynote speeches, and roundtable discussions. Experts examined whether AIGC (AI-Generated Content) represents a true technological turning point or an overhyped trend, and discussed how generative technologies may shape the future of filmmaking.

During the event, the China Film and Television Blue Book 2026, co-edited by Chen Xuguang and Fan Zhizhong, was released.