Chinese Publisher Uses AI to Turn Award-Winning Novel Into 5-Episode Micro-Film Series, Author Approves

Literature Meets AI: Chinese Publisher Creates Micro-Film Series Entirely with AI Tools

A Chinese publishing house has produced a 5-episode AI micro-film series adapted from Su Tong's latest novel "Good Weather" (好天气), using AI image and video generation tools including Midjourney and Jimeng.

The Project

• Source material: Good Weather, Su Tong's latest and longest novel, set in a Jiangnan village called "Xianshuitang"
• Format: 5 episodes, 4-5 minutes each, releasing weekly on Sundays
• AI tools used: Midjourney, Jimeng (Chinese AI video platform) for character design and visual scenes
• Human elements: Script adapted by professors and editors, voice acting in studio, post-production for subtitles/music/effects
• Premiere: April 5 (Qingming Festival), first episode streaming now

The Author's Response

Su Tong — one of China's most celebrated novelists, whose works have been adapted into films like Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern — told reporters:

"This is their new method of book promotion in the AI era. I of course support it. If it promotes book sales, that's great. If not, let the young people 'have a revolution' — that's fine too."

Reader Reactions

• Some found the micro-film more "terrifying" than reading the book due to visual/audio enhancement
• Readers wondered about the prompts used — "must be piled up like a mountain"
• Many expressed eagerness to follow the series and read the full book

Why This Matters

1. AI in publishing — A new model for book marketing that could reshape the industry
2. Hybrid creation — Combines AI generation with human scriptwriting and voice acting
3. Literary adaptation — First major Chinese novelist embracing AI for visual storytelling
4. Democratization — AI makes cinematic adaptation accessible to publishers, not just film studios