Industry conference highlights a hot streak for micro-dramas

The 3rd Beijing Internet Audiovisual Arts Conference concluded in Tongzhou district on Thursday, with the rapidly expanding micro-drama industry emerging as one of the most hotly debated topics.

A report reviewing the sector’s development over the past year was released, revealing that micro-dramas produced in Beijing accounted for two-thirds of the national total — the highest among all Chinese cities.

In 2024, the industry’s market size reached 50.44 billion yuan ($7.04 billion), marking a 34.9 percent year-on-year increase and surpassing the film market’s box-office revenue.

This growth has earned micro-dramas unprecedented recognition from the entertainment industry, according to the report.Gong Yu, founder and CEO of streaming giant iQiyi, described micro-dramas as a “catfish” in the entertainment content market, spurring industry insiders to pursue innovation and breakthroughs.

He said that shifting consumer habits toward faster-paced content have fueled the rapid expansion of micro-dramas, as audiences increasingly seek concise stories that offer emotional relief and a quick escape from daily stress.

Additionally, the conference unveiled a lineup of 80 popular or highly anticipated online programs, including the fantasy series Horror Stories of Tang Dynasty and the animated franchise Non-Human.

As one of the conference’s top highlights, the Beijing Audiovisual International Microdrama Competition — Chasing the Light Initiative, a project aimed at promoting micro-drama talent, announced its selection of 239 outstanding works from a total of 1,070 domestic and international submissions, with a seven-member jury panel overseeing the next round of judging.