Artificial intelligence (AI) will reshape the film industry as it boosts accessibility of filmmaking for more people by cutting production costs, according to insiders at the 2025 Golden Panda International Cultural Forum held in Chengdu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Saturday. The forum brought together the most influential decision-makers in the cultural sector from China and across the globe. This year's theme is "Harmony in Diversity, A Future in Unity." The goal of the forum is to exchange ideas, share perspectives, and build consensus on advancing the global cultural industry. Joel Hynek, a U.S. visual effects artist, said AI is conducive to the sector as it promotes "democratization" of filmmaking by lowering its threshold. "It has been eye-opening listening to the different people at the forum, people who are working in museums, directors, learning about how they want to use AI and how they think it should be used. So that's been important and it's important for me. In general, I think it's going to be very good effect on film production, because it's making it less expensive to do, making it faster to do. There are some ethical issues involved here. We have to make sure that the data you are using for the AI is your own or you've licensed it. And I think in the end it will help overall the movie industry and help people who couldn't normally do a film because it is so expensive. In other words, it's the democratization of filmmaking, the accessibility of filmmaking will increase. And people from all walks of life and different cultures will be able to make movies that will reach the screen. It won't just be the big studios being able to do good films," he said. Ma Siwei, a professor in the School of Computer Science at Peking University, said the forum offers a platform for more friendly cooperation between China and other countries. "China's current computing power and talent pool are actually quite advanced on the global stage. As a major nation, how we fulfill the responsibilities we should shoulder is precisely the work we ought to undertake. I believe international forums like this can help the outside world better understand China while also fostering more friendly and open cooperation - a channel that is, I think, extremely important," he said. The video shows: Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Sept 13, 2025 1. 2025 Golden Panda International Cultural Forum in progress 2. Attendees Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Sept 13, 2025 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Joel Hynek, U.S. visual effects artist (partially overlaid with shot 4): "It has been eye-opening listening to the different people at the forum, people who are working in museums, directors, learning about how they want to use AI and how they think it should be used. So that's been important and it's important for me. In general, I think it's going to be very good effect on film production, because it's making it less expensive to do, making it faster to do. There are some ethical issues involved here. We have to make sure that the data you are using for the AI is your own or you've licensed it. And I think in the end it will help overall the movie industry and help people who couldn't normally do a film because it is so expensive. In other words, it's the democratization of filmmaking, the accessibility of filmmaking will increase. And people from all walks of life and different cultures will be able to make movies that will reach the screen. It won't just be the big studios being able to do good films." ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 4. Various of guests on stage; attendees ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Sept 13, 2025 5. Various of forum in progress; attendees Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Sept 13, 2025 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Ma Siwei, professor, School of Computer Science, Peking University (partially overlaid with shots 7-10): "China's current computing power and talent pool are actually quite advanced on the global stage. As a major nation, how we fulfill the responsibilities we should shoulder is precisely the work we ought to undertake. I believe international forums like this can help the outside world better understand China while also fostering more friendly and open cooperation - a channel that is, I think, extremely important." ++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 7. Sign reading "Golden Panda Awards" 8. Sign showing information of exhibition 9. Figurine of giant panda 10. Various of sign boards showing information of movies ++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Sept 13, 2025 11. Various of guests speaking on stage; attendees [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]