Today's Highlights：
1. Henan Introduces Multiple Measures to Support the Development of Mini Series
2. Industry Discusses Innovative Integration of "Sports + Mini Series," Spotlighting the First Xiang Chao–Themed Mini Series
3. Creators of Li Xian Qian Nian Yan on Bringing Lingnan Culture to Contemporary Audiences Through Mini Series
4. Shanghai Recommended Shooting Location for Film and Television Settles in Dongshe Village
Henan Introduces Multiple Measures to Support the Development of Mini Series
Recently, the General Office of the People's Government of Henan Province issued the "Policy Measures for Supporting the High-Quality Development of the Mini Series Industry in Henan Province" (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures"), which outlines 15 "substantial" initiatives aimed at supporting content creation and dissemination, improving and enhancing the industry chain, and driving the high-quality development of Henan's mini series industry. The goal is to build a mini series industry hub in Henan that has national influence and competitiveness.
For outstanding scripts selected for the National Radio and Television Administration's "High Quality Creation and Dissemination Project", the "Original Online Audio-Visual Program Recruitment and Showcase", the "Annual Online Audio-Visual Program Exellence Promotion" initiatives, and the "Mini Series+" Action Plan Recommended Programs, a one-time reward of up to 300,000 yuan will be given to the script copyright holders. Mini Series enterprises are encouraged to collaborate and build overseas platforms, with a one-time reward of up to 500,000 yuan for those selected as key enterprises or projects in national cultural exports. Mini Series enterprises that successfully establish their own overseas distribution channels or apps will be granted a one-time reward of up to 1 million yuan in accordance with the law.
The "Measures" also propose the creation of top-tier mini series industry development zones, encouraging and guiding state-owned enterprises, government investment platforms, and other entities to revitalize idle properties and industrial parks for mini series development. These zones will operate under a "government investment, market-driven operation" model in cooperation with social capital, providing shared equipment and props, comprehensive public facilities, rich filming locations, and efficient operational services. For newly established or technology-restructured film and digital technology projects with total investments of over 20 million yuan, a one-time subsidy of up to 3 million yuan will be granted.
In addition to the substantial financial support, the "Measures" also outline a set of "soft service" measures to optimize the development environment for the industry, aiming to remove obstacles and provide strong support for mini series enterprises. For example, the "Measures" propose supporting various business entities in setting up integrated service platforms that provide "one-stop" services such as resource matching, script incubation, props coordination, and actor scheduling. Local governments are encouraged to provide financial support for the construction and operation of these platforms. Furthermore, the "Measures" emphasize the importance of establishing of a provincial-level mini series development fund, along with local mini series development funds, and implementing relevant reward measures to support the growth of the industry.
Industry Discusses Innovative Integration of "Sports + Mini Series," Spotlighting the First Xiang Chao–Themed Mini Series
On December 19, a seminar on Wo Zai Ye Sheng Qiu Chang Dang Men Shen (I'm the Goalkeeper in the Wild Pitch) and the development of Xiang Chao (Hunan Super League) mini series IPs was held in Changsha. The event was themed "Green-Field Passion Reflecting Xiaoxiang, Mini Series Empowering the Xiang Chao Dream," and focused on exploring innovative models that combine sports events with mini series, injecting new momentum into IP value development for the Xiang Chao and the upgrading of Hunan's sports and cultural industries.
As the first mini series in China to focus on the Xiang Chao, Wo Zai Ye Sheng Qiu Chang Dang Men Shen is guided by the Hunan Provincial Radio and Television Bureau, originally produced by Fengmang, and sponsored by China Unicom's Yongzhou Branch. The series premiered on the Fengmang platform on December 13.
The story centers on Lin Ling, a former national youth team football player whose career is cut short by a severe injury, forcing him to work as a construction laborer. While helping to build a football pitch, he unexpectedly awakens Long Yue, a snake spirit that has been dormant for a thousand years. As the Xiang Chao season begins, the Xiaoxiang team faces a goalkeeper crisis. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Ling becomes the team's goalkeeper. Once mocked as a loser, he stages a comeback through relentless training, rising to become the team's indispensable goalkeeper and captain, ultimately leading the team to a successful promotion in the league.
Creators of Li Xian Qian Nian Yan on Bringing Lingnan Culture to Contemporary Audiences Through Mini Series
Since its release, the mini series Li Xian Qian Nian Yan (The Millennial Feast of the Litchi Fairy) has captured widespread attention with its distinctive narrative that blends a millennium-spanning romance with Lingnan cultural heritage. Jointly produced by Yangcheng Evening News (Group) and Zhujiang College of South China Agricultural University, and supported by the Gaozhou Task Force under Guangdong's "Hundred-Thousand-Million Project," the series has successfully built a cultural bridge between tradition and modern life. Deeply rooted in western Guangdong, the production uses Gaozhou's vast lychee orchards as real-life settings, weaving together historical memories of ethnic integration and unity with the contemporary momentum of rural revitalization. Through a lighthearted, fantastical storytelling approach, the series appeals to younger audiences while seamlessly incorporating Lingnan cultural elements such as lychee traditions, intangible culinary heritage, and Yuefu poetry. In doing so, it revitalizes centuries-old cultural legacies through the accessible and fast-paced language of mini series.
Since December 10, Li Xian Qian Nian Yan has been released across major platforms including Tencent Video, Jiguang TV, Xuexi Qiangguo, Yangshipin, Bilibili, Hongguo Short Drama, and Douyin. Within its first week, the series surpassed 5.8 million views across the internet and was selected for the "Premium Mini Series" feature on the Xuexi Qiangguo platform. On the Hongguo platform alone, its popularity index exceeded 10 million, highlighting the strong appeal of the "mini series + agriculture, culture, and tourism" integration model under national policy guidance.
Recently, Yangcheng Evening News (Group) interviewed director Liu Quanwen and lead actors Jiang Bowen and Niu Xinxin to explore how the series brings Lingnan culture from the depths of history into contemporary view through innovative storytelling. Transitioning from documentary filmmaking to fantasy mini series, director Liu explained that the project integrates a documentarian's pursuit of authenticity into a fantastical framework. "We didn't want a floating, detached time-travel story," he said. "What we wanted was a cultural expression grounded in the everyday warmth and lived reality of Lingnan." Actor Jiang Bowen, who plays the male protagonist Liang Yichuan, drew inspiration from real-life observations to portray a modern "Guangdong programmer." "His thinking is very straightforward—sometimes he seems a bit awkward, but he reacts quickly," Jiang noted. "That contrast of being outwardly blunt but inwardly sharp is something I brought into the character to make him feel more authentic."
Actress Niu Xinxin emphasized that her performance remained anchored in what she calls a "Lingnan temperament." With a background in Peking Opera, she used traditional performance techniques to shape the ethereal qualities of the lychee fairy. "In opera, we say 'the eyes follow the hands, and the spirit follows the eyes,'" she explained. "I made my gaze brighter and more penetrating to convey a sense of otherworldliness. As for movement, it's not about copying opera gestures, but about the lightness and fluidity—especially the subtle grace associated with Lingnan women. That sensibility comes directly from my opera training."
Shanghai Recommended Shooting Location for Film and Television Settles in Dongshe Village
On December 19, the "Film and Art Co-Creation · Rural Encounter in Dongshe" – "Mountain Village Encounter · Dongshe Village" Conference on Dual Empowerment of Rural Revitalization and Film Culture was held in Dongshe Village, Liantang Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai. At the event, Dongshe Village was officially awarded the "Shanghai Recommended Shooting Location for Film and Televison" plaque. Also unveiled were the "Youth Film & Television Creation Center of the Shanghai Broadcasting Film & Television Producers Association," the "Creative Practice Base of Shanghai Film Academy, Shanghai University," and the "Creative Practice Base of Shanghai Vancouver Film School." This marks the official inclusion of Dongshe Village as a top destination for film creation, opening up a new framework for the integration and development of "Film + Rural" industries.
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, universities, rural and cross-sector organizations. Representatives from the film industry, including Zhang Pimin, Chairman of the China Film Foundation, Zhang Mingzhi, Chairman of the China International Culture and Arts Center, renowned directors Yang Yazhou and Tang Jili, famous screenwriter Wang Liping, young director Lan Tian, and actress Zhao Jing, joined officials from the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Qingpu District, and Liantang Town to discuss the collaborative path for film art and rural revitalization.
Looking ahead, Dongshe Village will rely on three major creative practice bases, a film poster art museum, and other projects to continue driving the deep integration of film creation and rural cultural tourism. In particular, with mini series creation and other emerging sectors as starting points, the village will explore the cultural heritage of the Jiangnan water town and the vibrant stories of rural revitalization, providing a continuous source of inspiration for film creation. This will foster more down-to-earth and heartfelt outstanding works and chart a new path for the integration and symbiosis of rural revitalization and film culture.
