Today's Highlights：

1. First China-ASEAN (Nanning) Mini Series Competition Launches

2. Urban Youth Striving Mini Series Wei Ni Er Lai (Coming for You) Begins Filming at Chengdu's Dongjiao Jiyi Art District

3. Meng Hui Ying Tan (Chasing the Dream on Screen) Starts Filming

4. Why Are Mini Series Produced in Zhejiang Leading the Nation?

5. Zhuozhou, Hebei: Building the Core Hub for Northern China's Mini Series Development

6. Top-Tier Actors Become the Traffic Drivers for Mini Series

 

First China-ASEAN (Nanning) Mini Series Competition Launches

 

 

The inaugural China-ASEAN (Nanning) Mini Series Competition has officially opened for submissions, extending a sincere invitation to outstanding creators and production teams worldwide. As Nanning's first official mini series competition, it offers a total support fund of 300,000 yuan and introduces a Special AI Award for the first time. The competition aims to showcase Nanning's diverse charm through the emerging medium of mini series, promote the deep integration of "mini series + cultural tourism," and help build Nanning into a new international cultural landmark connecting China and ASEAN countries. Notably, to bridge the gap between creativity and the marketplace and address the challenge of turning exceptional ideas into reality, the competition will establish a collaborative platform linking creators, investors, broadcasting platforms, brands, and industrial bases. This initiative seeks to break down barriers between innovation and commercialization, inject new momentum into the mini series industry, and facilitate the transformation of high-quality mini series projects from "works" to "products," achieving both commercial success and social impact.

 

Urban Youth Striving Mini Series Wei Ni Er Lai (Coming for You) Begins Filming at Chengdu's Dongjiao Jiyi Art District

 

 

On October 23, Wei Ni Er Lai (Coming for You), an urban youth striving-themed mini series produced by Chengdu Media Industry Group, held its inaugural filming ceremony at Dongjiao Jiyi Art District in Chengdu. The series centers on a cross-dimensional romance between a comic artist and the male protagonist she created, telling the story of an ordinary yet passionate young woman pursuing her dreams in Chengdu. As the protagonists support each other and overcome challenges, the production seamlessly blends together Chengdu's iconic scenery with trendy elements favored by Gen Z. Through suspenseful yet lighthearted and engaging plots, the series allows audiences to experience sweet romance while experiencing Chengdu's urban spirit where ease and ambition coexist, presenting a modern fantasy romance with a strong metropolitan flair.In January 2025, Chengdu Media Industry Group took the initiative by hosting the first "Starlight Shine • Mini Series Annual Gala," outlining a strategic vision of building the "China Western Mini Series Industrial Base" based on an industrial layout of "1 base + 3 parks + Numerous scenes." Wei Ni Er Lai is the first flagship project to receive dedicated funding through the Starlight Gala initiative, jointly developed with mini series production companies in a market-driven model. According to the series' producer, supported by a professional creative team and a comprehensive industry ecosystem, the series is scheduled to premiere this year on platforms including Hongguo, positioning it to become one of the representative works of Chengdu's high-quality mini series production.

 

Meng Hui Ying Tan (Chasing the Dream on Screen) Starts Filming! 

 

 

On October 20, Shuiying Tangzhuang in Zhengzhou was filled with joy as the inaugural filming ceremony for the flagship mini series Meng Hui Ying Tan (Chasing the Dream on Screen) was held in grand style. The series is produced by Henan Broadcasting and TV Media Co., Ltd. and created by Sansheng Sanshi Digital Film and Television Media Co., Ltd. This project marks a significant milestone for Henan Broadcasting and TV Media Co., Ltd. in establishing a nationally influential innovation hub for mini series. It is supported by the He Da Wei Theater App mini series platform and the Elephant News App.The event also represents a key step in the deepened cooperation between Sansheng Sanshi and Zhengzhou University of Technology, fostering the integration of industry and education. Additionally, it marks the first group appearance of students from the company's elite actor training program. After one month of intensive training, these beginners, who started from scratch, now have their own customized scripts to apply what they've learned on an actual filming set.

 

Why Are Mini Series Produced in Zhejiang Leading the Nation?

 

 

In the first half of 2025, Zhejiang recorded 251 key online mini series for registration and issued licenses for 52 of them. The total popularity index of these series reached 1.71 billion, placing them among the top in China. Under the National Radio and Television Administration's "Travel with Mini Series" initiative, 49 mini series from Zhejiang were selected, the highest number from any province.

What has made this region such a fertile ground for the mini series industry? The answer lies in targeted policy support, a robust industrial foundation, and continuous cultural innovation. The success of Zhejiang's mini series is no accident—it is the result of an "all-factor synergy."As domestic competition intensifies, Zhejiang is now turning its sights abroad. Works like He Mu Du De Gu Shao Sheng (The Bone Whistle of Hemudu) and Lian Lian Cha Yuan (Love in the Tea Garden) have been launched on international platforms. Companies such as Jiuzhou Wenhua's ShortMax and Huace Group are accelerating the expansion of international distribution channels, aiming to bring the "Zhejiang model" to the global stage.At the same time, the integration of AI technology is driving industrial upgrades. AI dubbing and AIGC rendering are addressing production challenges like large volumes and multiple versions. For example, Wo Zai Yue Qiu Dang Bao Gong Tou (I Am A Lunar Contractor) used "virtual filming + AIGC" technology to make real shooting on the lunar surface possible, opening up new creative possibilities for science fiction and aerospace themes. As more and more cultural tourism landmarks are recognized, and as the lights of "Vertical Dian" shine on more creators' dreams, this land will continue to tell new stories of the integration of culture and industry.

 

Zhuozhou, Hebei: Building the Core Hub for Northern China's Mini Series Development

 

 

On October 20, the Nanjing Mini Series Industry Alliance was officially launched, accompanied by an industry chain resource matchmaking event held at the Nanjing Xingkong Theater. During the event, experts and scholars discussed pivotal shift in the mini series industry from rapid expansion to high-quality development, focusing on key areas such as policy direction, industry ecosystem, data support, technology application, and literary creativity. Their insights provided both forward-looking and practical guidance, helping Nanjing's mini series industry chart its growth path and overcome innovation challenges. Following the main session, a special resource matchmaking meeting for the mini series industry took place. Mini series companies engaged in face-to-face discussions on project cooperation, resource sharing, technical support, and business strategies, collaborating to establish a new, integrated ecosystem for the industry.

 

Top-Tier Actors Become the Traffic Drivers for Mini Series

 

 

The upcoming mini series Shi Ba Sui Tai Nai Nai Jia Dao, Chong Zheng Jia Zu Rong Yao (The 18-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Arrives, Restoring the Family's Glory 3) has already garnered over 7.7 million advance reservations, while Yi Ta Wei Long (Lady in the Cage) has exceeded 1.1 million reservations, and Qiu Mi Shu De Hun Shi (Secretary Qiu's Marriage) and Zhou Ye Hui Xiang (Echoes of Day and Night) have each surpassed 1 million reservations. These works, starring top-tier mini series actors, are generating strong buzz even before their release, signaling a subtle yet notable industry shift: popular mini series actors are becoming key drivers of viewership traffic, marking a transition from "shows that make stars" to "stars that make shows." However, beneath the boom lies a note of caution. The mini series market is developing at a breakneck pace but remains in its infancy, raising questions about the sustainability of this "actor-driven" model. Experts remind that even with top-tier casts, "content is king" remains the golden rule. Only by consistently delivering high-quality stories can the "actor-driven" model endure. Ultimately, excellent scripts and refined production are the timeless formula for compelling audiovisual storytelling.