AI Creation Contest of the 8th “Tell China’s Stories” Creative Communication International Competition Officially Launches

The launching ceremony of the AI Creation Contest under the 8th “Tell China’s Stories” Creative Communication International Competition was grandly held in Datong, Shanxi Province on July 10, 2026. As a brand-new special AI track of this national-level international communication competition, the event leverages generative AI technology to build a platform for public digital creation and cross-civilization dialogue. It opens four creation tracks and six thematic directions for creators nationwide, with generous cash rewards, copyright deposit certification, global exhibition and other exclusive benefits. A supporting sub-contest has also been launched in Shanxi Province. With digital creativity revitalizing China’s outstanding traditional culture, the competition aims to forge an innovative international narrative paradigm for Chinese stories.ersive AI Show

1. Basic Event Overview: Authoritative National Cultural AI Competition

Organizers

Guided by China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, hosted by China Internet Information Center (China.org.cn), and co-organized by China Animation Industry Platform and Beijing Mandagaoke Cultural Development Co., Ltd. It is an official international communication competition with a dedicated AI creation track, aligned with the general theme of the 8th contest A Beautiful China, A Bright Future, under the core slogan Revitalize Traditions with AI, Help the World Understand China.

Core Mission

2026 is defined as the Year of Universal AI Adoption. The competition takes AI as a new productive force to integrate cultural creation and cross-border communication. It lowers creation thresholds for the public, encourages creators to explore intangible cultural heritage, history, landscapes and folk culture via AI, facilitates deep integration of traditional culture and digital creativity, nurtures young international communication talents, and establishes a human-AI collaborative system for cultural global outreach.

Highlight of Launch Ceremony

The ceremony opened with an immersive AI performance The Splendor of Shanxi · AI Datong, combining ancient local history, murals and digital visual effects. Over 200 representatives from cultural tourism, AI tech, animation and universities attended. Industry experts delivered keynote speeches on three core topics: empowering cultural productivity with AI, precise cross-cultural communication, and talent cultivation through competitions. A free official digital asset library featuring cultural relics and heritage materials was released on site.

2. Four Independent Creation Tracks Covering All AI Media Forms

Fully AI-generated or AI-assisted works are eligible for submission across four categories:

1. AI Video GroupShort films, animations, micro-movies, series and promotional clips. Outstanding entries will be recommended to the national competition committee to compete for national comprehensive awards.
2. AI Image & Illustration GroupSeries illustrations, Chinese-style picture books, thematic posters, original IP characters and digital reconstruction of cultural relics, with priority given to complete serialized storytelling.
3. AI Interactive Application GroupAI interactive installations, AR/VR immersive experiences, digital human guides and cultural-themed H5 games that reimagine cultural engagement.
4. AI Music & Audio GroupAI-original folk music, adapted traditional operas, urban sound signatures and historical audio stories, exploring innovative digital expression of traditional acoustics.

3. Six Creation Themes (Single or Combined Themes Accepted)

1. Revitalized Intangible Heritage: Digital recreation of embroidery, pottery, opera and folk festivals via AI;
2. Journey Through History: AI restoration of ancient cities, cultural relics and historical figures;
3. Poetic Landscapes: AI visual interpretation of Chinese natural aesthetics and ecological philosophy;
4. Folk Life & Food Culture: Creative presentation of local cuisine and grassroots daily life;
5. Future Imagination: Visions of how traditional culture evolves in the digital age;
6. Chinese Brands: Stories of domestic brands inheriting craftsmanship and pursuing innovation.

4. Competition Rules, Judging Criteria & Rewards

Core Submission Regulations

1. Full technical transparency: Entrants must attach a list of AI tools and detailed workflow descriptions with screenshots for verification;
2. Copyright compliance: All source materials used must be legally sourced. Creators retain full copyright of their works; the organizer only holds non-commercial rights for public welfare exhibition and overseas promotion;
3. Free digital copyright deposit: All submitted works are automatically authenticated via notary and judicial blockchain to protect intellectual property;
4. Eligibility: Open to independent creators, studios, university faculties & students, cultural tourism practitioners, AI enthusiasts and overseas international students in China.

Three-Dimensional Judging Rubric (Total 100 Points)

1. Cultural Interpretation (40%, highest weight): Accuracy and in-depth research on history, heritage and regional culture, penalizing superficial cultural symbol stacking;
2. AI Innovation (30%): Original application of AI in narrative, visual and interactive design, rather than sheer quantity of tools used;
3. Global Communication Potential (30%): Appeal and memorability for cross-cultural overseas audiences, compliant with global digital content distribution rules.

Cash Prizes (Awards judged separately per track, total prize pool over CNY 100,000)

• First Prize: 1 winner per track, CNY 10,000 cash reward;
• Second Prize: 2 winners per track, CNY 5,000 each;
• Third Prize: 3 winners per track, CNY 2,000 each; The organizing committee reserves the right to add cash and physical awards based on submission volume. Winning works will be featured in national offline exhibitions and global non-commercial streaming promotion.

5. Timeline & Full Submission Process

1. Submission Period: July 10 – September 15, 2026 (all submissions online);
2. Official Platform: Register via the AI Creator Center website: http://zg-acgn.net/home
3. Step-by-Step Submission ① Register and download free official cultural asset packs (or use self-owned compliant materials); ② Complete AI creation and compile AI tool & workflow documents; ③ Fill in online entry form, upload works and supporting materials, sign copyright statement and submit.
4. Review & Award Ceremony: Preliminary, secondary and final judging plus winner announcement in September 2026; offline award ceremony to be held on a scheduled date.
5. Supporting Sub-Contest: The Shanxi Sub-Contest kicked off in Taiyuan on July 28 under the theme A Beautiful China, Virtuous Shanxi, collecting local visual stories alongside the main national contest.

Contact Information

Official Email: acgn@china.com.cn Hotline: 400-189-8866 The organizing committee reserves the final right to interpret all competition rules.