The ongoing 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival (CICAF) in tech hub Hangzhou is spotlighting the fusion of cutting-edge technology and Chinese animation.
From AI-generated content (AIGC) to virtual reality (VR), the festival is showcasing how AI is reshaping the industry and bringing beloved classics to life in ways never seen before.
Among the most popular attractions at the festival is the "Havoc in Heaven" VR immersive experience, a large-scale interactive project guided by the China Academy of Art and developed in collaboration with multiple studios.
"Havoc in Heaven" tells a story about the Monkey King which forms part of the famous 16th-century Chinese classic novel "Journey to the West". Unlike traditional viewing experiences, this VR immersive experience puts audiences directly into the action. With VR headsets on, visitors fight alongside the Monkey King from a first-person perspective, physically reaching out to grab virtual weapons, choose their gear, and battle celestial warriors in real time.
"It combines VR technology with a classic story like 'Havoc in Heaven' which everyone knows and loves. It really appeals to young people like us," said Li, a visitor.
At a China Media Group (CMG) exhibition area, children are invited into an interactive space that integrates AIGC image-to-video generation, real-time digital avatar broadcasting, and more.
Classic Chinese animation IPs such as "The Legend of Nezha" and "Journey to the West" are transformed into intelligent companions that children can talk to and co-create with, allowing the young visitors a hands-on, immersive experience with traditional Chinese culture.
"As a parent born in the 1980s, I could only watch cartoons on TV when I was a child. Now this young generation can get up close to the characters. This AI era offers them a much more immersive, interactive experience. I think that's wonderful," said Liu, a mother.
Meanwhile, another art creation exhibition area pushes the boundaries even further by blending professional stage lighting, cinematic scenery, and AI-powered green-screen filming to create a full-sensory production experience.
With just a quick image capture, the system generates a 1:1 animated character video of the visitor. Meanwhile, the on-site AI and printing technologies allow visitors to upload their images and have them printed out in real time.
"We're building on our rich cultural heritage to create AI green-screen performances and customized cultural products for offline venues across the country. We hope to work with more young people to carry out proof-of-concept experiments for the future of Chinese animation innovation," said He Junkang, CEO of Hangzhou Yiren Gongsheng Culture Technology Co., Ltd.
With interactive installations, immersive storytelling, and AI-driven creativity around every corner, this year's CICAF, running from Wednesday to Sunday, offers a glimpse into a future where technology and tradition not only coexist - they collaborate.
Inaugurated in 2005, the festival has been held annually in Hangzhou, the provincial capital of east China's Zhejiang Province.
22nd CICAF spotlights AI-powered future of animation industry
