Chinese streaming and production company iQIYI launched Nadou Pro, the country's first AI agent designed for professional film and TV production, on March 30, 2026.
iQIYI launched Nadou Pro, an AI agent designed as a comprehensive production assistant for film and TV. It unifies disparate AI tools into a single, end-to-end system, shifting AI use from isolated tasks like script editing to a foundational layer across the entire production pipeline, from concept to delivery.
What We Know So Far
- iQIYI officially launched Nadou Pro on March 30, 2026, positioning it as China's first AI agent specifically tailored for professional film and television creators, according to company announcements reported by PR Newswire.
- The platform is currently in a pre-commercial release phase, suggesting an initial rollout to select partners and industry professionals for testing and feedback before a wider public launch.
- Nadou Pro supports a complete, end-to-end production workflow. Its capabilities span from initial script development and analysis to storyboarding, character design, and the generation of final cinematic output.
- A key innovation within the platform is a feature called "blockbuster prompts." According to a report from Devdiscourse, this system is designed to translate abstract creative concepts and moods into concrete, production-ready directives that the AI can execute.
- The agent integrates iQIYI's proprietary QiZhi multimodal large models with a suite of third-party AI models. These include SeeDance, Kling, Vidu, Hailuo, and WAN, creating a hybrid system that leverages specialized technologies for different production tasks.
Nadou Pro Features and Capabilities
Nadou Pro functions as a unified hub for AI content creation, centralizing fragmented tools. Its core architecture uses iQIYI's proprietary QiZhi large models, processing multimodal inputs and outputs like text, images, and video simultaneously. This foundational layer integrates specialized third-party AI models, enabling the agent to delegate tasks to the most effective technology for versatility across the production chain.
One of the most technically significant features is the "blockbuster prompts" system. This addresses a common challenge in generative AI: translating a creator's abstract vision into precise, machine-readable instructions. For example, a director's request for a scene with a "somber, futuristic atmosphere" can be difficult for an AI to interpret directly. The blockbuster prompt feature acts as an intermediary, breaking down such abstract concepts into specific parameters for lighting, color grading, camera angles, and character expression. This allows filmmakers to guide the AI with creative language rather than technical commands, streamlining the process of visual development and pre-visualization.
The platform's capabilities extend across the entire pre-production and production timeline. For script development, Nadou Pro can analyze screenplays for structure, pacing, and character arcs, offering data-driven suggestions. It can then automatically generate detailed storyboards and concept art based on scene descriptions. For production, the agent can create digital assets, virtual sets, and even generate complete video sequences, significantly accelerating tasks that traditionally require extensive manual labor and resources. This integration aims to create a fluid and cohesive workflow within a single digital environment.
How Nadou Pro Revolutionizes Film Production Workflow
Nadou Pro shifts film and TV production from traditional linear, compartmentalized workflows to an integrated, iterative model. It provides a common platform for screenwriting, art design, visual effects, and editing with AI assistance. This consolidation breaks down departmental silos, enabling rapid prototyping and creative experimentation.
Wenfeng LIU, senior vice president of iQIYI, stated that the platform's objective is to make "AI the most powerful creative engine in professional filmmaking." The goal is to build a "seamless, intelligent workflow" that combines creation, production, and distribution. By automating repetitive and time-intensive processes, the AI agent frees up human creators to focus on higher-level creative decisions. For instance, generating multiple variations of a complex visual effects shot can be done in a fraction of the time, giving directors and producers more options to choose from without incurring prohibitive costs or delays.
Devdiscourse reports Nadou Pro's validation in the 'Peter Pau × iQIYI AI Theater' project, indicating early positive reception from industry veterans. This collaboration shows established filmmakers exploring AI tools for professional projects. The platform could lower the barrier to entry for high-quality, visually ambitious content and enhance efficiency for studios, shifting workflow from manual execution to creative direction and curation.
iQIYI's Strategy for AI in Entertainment
Nadou Pro's launch reflects iQIYI's strategy to embed AI in entertainment. As a major content producer and streaming service, iQIYI leverages its vast data on audience preferences and production best practices. The platform operationalizes this institutional knowledge, assisting content creation and informed by years of industry experience. Company leadership articulates the vision: "imagination is the only limit" for filmmakers.
The decision to build Nadou Pro on a hybrid model—combining its proprietary QiZhi models with leading third-party AIs—is a critical strategic choice. This approach prevents technological lock-in and allows iQIYI to remain agile in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Instead of attempting to build the single best model for every possible task, the company is positioning itself as an expert integrator, curating a suite of best-in-class tools within a cohesive production environment. This makes Nadou Pro a flexible platform capable of adapting as new and more powerful generative models become available from different developers.
This strategy also positions iQIYI not just as a content company but as a technology provider for the entire creative industry. By offering Nadou Pro to other filmmakers and production houses, iQIYI can create a new revenue stream and establish its technology as an industry standard. This move mirrors how major technology companies in other sectors have built ecosystems around their core platforms. For iQIYI, Nadou Pro is a vehicle for influencing how the next generation of film and television content is made, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of technological innovation in media.
What Happens Next
Nadou Pro is in pre-commercial release, focusing on targeted testing and refinement. This phase involves deploying the platform in controlled professional production environments. Early adopter feedback will identify technical issues, improve the user interface, and validate practical utility in real-world scenarios. Performance of "blockbuster prompts" and workflow integration seamlessness will be closely scrutinized.
Several key questions remain unanswered ahead of a full commercial launch. iQIYI has not yet detailed the platform's future pricing model, which could range from a subscription-based service to a per-project licensing fee. Furthermore, the handling of intellectual property for AI-generated assets remains a complex legal area that will need clear guidelines for professional users. The timeline for a full commercial release will likely depend on the outcomes of the current pre-commercial phase.
Nadou Pro's success or failure will influence AI adoption in filmmaking, in China and globally. Competing companies may accelerate their own integrated AI production agents. The platform's ability to deliver tangible improvements in efficiency and creative output will determine if it becomes an indispensable tool or a niche technology.
