Since the official establishment of the Hengdian International Short Drama Alliance, it has rapidly integrated key resources such as creativity(content), IP, production, technology, distribution, talent, and capital. This has led to the creation of an open and comprehensive industry support platform, providing end-to-end solutions from creative incubation to global distribution for short dramas. This milestone marks the beginning of a new era for Hengdian’s short dramas on the international stage. The Alliance’s launch has garnered extensive coverage from reputable media outlets, including the Global Times International Edition, CCTV Finance, Shanghai No.1 Finance And Economy, and People’s Daily Overseas Edition.This widespread attention has significantly enhanced Hengdian’s industry standing and influence in the global short drama sector.
Amidst the rapid growth of overseas short drama markets and challenges such as cultural differences, talent shortages, and technological innovation, Hengdian has leveraged its global platform to craft a systematic solution. By focusing on five key areas—content, business, strategy, talent, and technology—it has integrated “content, services, and channels” into a robust framework that drives cultural export with unprecedented efficiency.
The Path of Short Drama Exports: From Innovation to Excellence
As audiences demand richer cultural experiences and higher artistic quality, producing premium short dramas has become essential for the industry’s growth. During the summit, Director Feng Shengyong emphasized the need for short dramas to evolve from “products to works of art and eventually to masterpieces.” This process not only enhances market competitiveness but is also vital for effective cultural storytelling and global outreach.
The Hengdian International Short Drama Alliance has fully embraced this vision by focusing on innovation and quality. It aims to create culturally rich and internationally impactful productions, ensuring cross-cultural resonance while staying true to Chinese heritage. By doing so, it transforms short dramas into bridges that connect China with the rest of the world.
Showcasing Cultural Heritage: The “Heritage in Micro-drama” Initiative
The “Heritage in Micro-drama” project, is aimed at showcasing China’s intangible cultural heritage to the world. It is spearheaded by the Asia-Africa center of China Media Group (CMG) and co-produced and operated by UniVerse Culture Co., Ltd., a key member of the Hengdian International Short Drama Alliance. As a flagship case for the alliance, the project employs micro-dramas as a medium to present China’s unique intangible cultural heritage and contemporary values through carefully curated content and dynamic international storytelling, offering audiences an innovative and engaging audiovisual experience.
The first production of the “Heritage in Micro-drama”project, “Beauty of Glaze”, was officially released on December 2, 2024. Jointly produced by the Asia-Africa Center of China Media Group, China Global Television Network (CGTN), and UniVerse Culture Co., Ltd., this micro-drama explores cultural exchanges between Chinese and ancient Persian civilizations. Through a timeless love story, it vividly illustrates the artistry and cultural essence of blue-and-white porcelain.Alliance member SpringRee played a pivotal role throughout the production process. The filming team employed international actors to enhance the story’s diversity and chose authentic locations to ensure cultural authenticity. With a dedicated crew of over 100 members, multi-camera high-quality filming, and the integration of AI technology, the drama delivers a cinematic visual experience. Additionally, “Beauty of Glaze”was produced in multiple languages, including Chinese, English, Arabic, Persian, and Portuguese, significantly broadening its international reach and impact.
It was selected as one of the Outstanding Micro Dramas in the National Radio and Television Administration’s Follow Micro Dramas to Travel initiative and has achieved remarkable success globally.On its premiere day, the drama garnered 10.27 million views, and its overseas exposure has reached an impressive 450 million to date, establishing itself as a shining example of high-quality short dramas successfully going global.
Looking Ahead: Telling China’s Stories Through Short Dramas
Short dramas, with their compact format, rapid dissemination, and broad appeal, are becoming powerful vehicles for sharing Chinese culture globally. Building on this momentum, the Hengdian International Short Drama Alliance will continue its commitment to excellence by deepening content innovation, fostering talent, and advancing technology.Moving forward, the alliance will focus on elevating short drama storytelling from emotional expression to meaningful narratives. By cultivating international talent and leveraging cutting-edge technology, Hengdian aims to amplify the global impact of Chinese short dramas.
With rich Chinese culture as its foundation and short dramas as its medium, the alliance seeks to illuminate the global stage with high-quality productions and efficient international distribution. The Hengdian International Short Drama Alliance is poised to set a benchmark for the industry, paving the way for Chinese culture to resonate far and wide across the world.
