Huangshan capitalizes on micro-short drama wave to boost cultural industry

Huangshan, the center of the Greater Huangshan Area construction, is prioritizing the film industry, particularly the micro-short drama industry, as the key sector for high-end service development.

Micro dramas are a rising trend in the cultural industry. A recent industrial report showed that the market value of the country's micro dramas last year was nearly 37.4 billion yuan ($5.25 billion), a year-on-year increase of about 268 percent. That number is expected to exceed 50 billion yuan this year and surpass 100 billion yuan in 2027.

This year, Huangshan's micro-short drama enterprises are projected to generate over 100 million yuan in revenue, and the city has already completed 10 micro-short dramas this year, with five already broadcasted and nearly 50 in production.

In September, Huangshan introduced the Action Plan for the Development of Huangshan's Film (Micro-Short Drama) Industry (2024-26). According to the plan, over the next three years, the city plans to invest over 100 million yuan to support filming base construction, service platform development, enterprise subsidies, awards for outstanding works, and financial support.

The city is developing a one-stop film service platform, an indoor set base in Zhong'an Sci-Tech Innovation City, and a standardized studio base in Huangshan High-Tech Zone, providing one-stop shooting locations for micro-short dramas.

With 56 high-grade scenic spots, 310 traditional villages, over 4,700 ancient residences, and thousands of cultural heritage sites, Huangshan offers a rich visual palette for micro-short drama production. The city's deep-rooted Huizhou culture, including ancient architecture, traditional crafts, and various art forms, provides a fertile ground for innovative cultural expressions through micro-short dramas.

Huangshan is accelerating the integration of online literature, dramas, and games into a cohesive industrial ecosystem, aiming to foster a new development model that combines tourism, cultural creativity, film, animation, sports, and exhibitions, thereby enhancing the quality and appeal of its tourism industry.

Huangshan holds an event to promote micro-short drama industry development. [Photo/Huangahan Daily]

A dragon lantern parade in Huizhou district. [Photo/Huangahan Daily]