To thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, implement the national cultural digitization strategy, foster and expand strategic emerging industries, promote the high-quality development of the digital creative industry through the “dual-engine drive” of culture and technology, and build a global hub for innovation in the digital creative industry, these measures are formulated in accordance with the guiding principles of documents such as the “Opinions of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government on Developing and Expanding Strategic Emerging Industry Clusters and Cultivating Future Industries.”
I. Key Supported Entities and Sectors
These Measures apply to enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, private non-enterprise entities, and other organizations that are duly registered, possess independent legal person status, and are engaged in the digital creative industry and related services such as creation, production, distribution, dissemination, and consumption.
Building upon Shenzhen’s strengths in scientific and technological innovation and its open, diverse cultural environment, these measures focus on key areas and critical links such as digital creative technologies and equipment, digital creative content, digital cultural and creative activities, and integrated digital creative services. They aim to vigorously develop key industries including games, film and television animation, micro-short dramas, live performances, and science fiction, foster the development of new digital creative business models, and provide financial support to eligible projects.
II. Strengthening R&D of Core Digital Creative Technologies
(1) Promoting the Integration and Innovation of AI and Digital Creativity. Encourage the research, development, and application of cutting-edge technologies such as AI-powered film and animation tool platforms, AI design and production software, and domestically developed game engines. Support the development of vertical models for specific digital creativity sub-sectors, and distribute inclusive “training vouchers” and “corpus vouchers” to enterprises.Support the establishment of a domestic AI ecosystem source innovation center. Based on domestic AI core technologies and toolchains, provide model application migration and adaptation services to eligible digital creative enterprises, and promote the use of domestic chips such as Ascend in business operations. Support enterprises and social institutions in building large-scale model service platforms and corpus databases for the digital creative industry by leveraging resources from China’s excellent traditional culture, intangible cultural heritage, and local cultural elements.(Lead Agency: Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology Innovation, Municipal Bureau of Government Affairs and Data, Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports)
(2) Support the R&D and Application of Digital Creative Technologies.Support the establishment of digital creative laboratories and enterprise innovation centers. Support enterprises in conducting R&D on digital creative technologies such as virtual filming, extended reality (XR), lighting, sound, and special effects, and intelligent motion capture. Enhance the technical standards of digital cultural equipment—including wearable smart cultural devices, virtual reality (VR) technology equipment, digital studio hardware, immersive projection systems, and domestically produced gaming equipment—as well as their application service capabilities for scenarios such as government affairs, public welfare, and cultural tourism. Encourage the use of domestic technologies.For digital technology innovation and application projects in the cultural sector that are industry-leading and have a demonstrative and driving effect, funding of up to 5 million yuan will be provided, not exceeding 20% of the total investment. For projects primarily developed using devices based on the open-source HarmonyOS system, the funding ratio will be increased by 10%.Leverage the strengths of innovation platforms such as the National Ultra-High-Definition Video Innovation Center to support the development of innovative ultra-high-definition video display products, including all-in-one production, editing, recording, and broadcasting systems and 4K/8K displays. Provide funding in accordance with relevant policies for innovative ultra-high-definition video display products in the cultural sector that lead the industry in technology and demonstrate a leading and driving effect. (Lead Agency: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology Innovation, Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Municipal Bureau of Government Affairs and Data)
III. Vigorously Develop Key Digital Creative Industries
(3) Enhance the Level of Gaming Innovation. Continuously improve the level of independent innovation and brand influence in the gaming sector. Support the development and operation of products such as AAA (high-investment, high-quality, high-cultural-content) games, premium games, edutainment games, and esports games that are dominated by elements and scenarios of China’s excellent traditional culture. For game products that achieve a certain scale and demonstrate significant social benefits and dissemination effects, provide funding of up to 10 million yuan, not exceeding 30% of the investment;For native HarmonyOS game applications that are developed and launched, provide funding of up to 500,000 yuan. For the hosting of internationally and domestically renowned gaming tournaments and events, provide funding of up to 5 million yuan, not exceeding 30% of the investment. [Lead Agency: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Publicity Department, Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, and district governments (including the Dapeng New Area Administrative Committee and the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone Administrative Committee; the same applies hereinafter)]
(4) Creating High-Quality Film, Television, and Animation Works. Support the creation and production of high-quality film and television works featuring mainstream themes, positive energy, major topics, and distinctive themes. For outstanding film and television scripts, film and animation works, low-budget films, ultra-high-definition videos, VR/AR videos, holographic videos, and other content products, funding of up to 20 million yuan will be provided in tiers based on a comprehensive assessment of social and commercial value, as well as evaluations from both professional and public sectors, and industry and market perspectives.Support film and television production crews filming in Shenzhen. For outstanding film and television projects with production costs in Shenzhen exceeding 1 million yuan that showcase the city’s image and promote tourism, and where the works are screened in movie theaters, major television channels, or online platforms and receive a positive response, provide funding of up to 5 million yuan, not exceeding 30% of actual expenditures. Support the construction of new digital studios, providing funding of up to 10 million yuan, not exceeding 10% of the investment.(Lead Agency: Municipal Publicity Department; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Municipal Federation of Literary and Art Circles)
(5) Promoting the Production of High-Quality Micro- and Short-Form Dramas. Micro- and short-form dramas will be fostered as new channels for strengthening mainstream values, public opinion, and culture, as well as new platforms for reflecting the city’s image, deepening international outreach, and promoting industry integration. The city will encourage the global expansion of micro- and short-form dramas to tap into international markets. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of mainstream and market reception, professional and public feedback, and investment scale, micro- and short-form drama productions will be eligible for funding of up to 3 million yuan, not exceeding 30% of the total investment.Support the clustered development of the micro-short drama industry, build public service platforms for the sector, improve copyright trading and agency services, enhance multilingual dubbing and localization capabilities, and accelerate the integration and application of new technologies. Provide funding of up to 2 million yuan for relevant projects, not exceeding 30% of the total investment. (Lead Agency: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: District Governments)
(6) Promote the Prosperous Development of the Performance Market. Streamline approval processes and improve the efficiency of performance services. While ensuring safety, relax restrictions on the number of tickets that may be sold or distributed for large-scale commercial performances. Support the development of a Greater Bay Area performance ticketing platform using intelligent identification and verification technologies such as big data and blockchain. Based on the platform’s scale and comprehensive evaluation, provide funding of up to 5 million yuan, not exceeding 50% of the investment.Support the creation of a new generation of performance venues and high-quality stage productions such as dance dramas and musicals. For newly established performance venues and stage productions that have been certified and meet certain thresholds for performance frequency and audience attendance, provide funding of up to 2 million yuan based on comprehensive evaluation and investment scale;Support the hosting of large-scale commercial performances and high-quality concerts, and foster the development of new forms of performing arts. Based on the scale of the performance, economic benefits, and influence, a grant of up to 600,000 yuan per event will be provided, with an annual funding cap of 2 million yuan per organizing entity. (Lead Agency: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Publicity Department, Municipal Public Security Bureau, and district governments)
(7) Building a Hub for Science Fiction Industry Innovation. Promote mutual empowerment between scientific innovation and science fiction, and support the creation of high-quality science fiction films, animations, games, theatrical productions, and specialty products such as trendy collectibles. Provide additional funding of up to 50% on top of the relevant funding standards under this policy.Promote the clustered development of the sci-fi industry and support the establishment of sci-fi creation and publishing bases, as well as international exchange bases. For platforms and activities that promote sci-fi R&D innovation, incubation and acceleration, and cooperative exchanges, provide funding of up to 3 million yuan, not exceeding 30% of the total investment. (Lead Agencies: Municipal Publicity Department, Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Education Bureau, Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology Innovation, Municipal Association for Science and Technology, Municipal Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Shenzhen Publishing Group, and district governments)
(8) Promote the Integration and Innovation of Business Models. Deepen the “Digital Creativity+” initiative to drive the integration of digital creativity with cultural heritage, cultural tourism consumption, healthcare, smart manufacturing, education, and entertainment, thereby extending industrial chains and expanding industry ecosystems. Vigorously develop immersive and interactive experience-based economies, as well as future-oriented new cultural consumption models. Organize the selection of innovative cultural enterprises and integration demonstration projects with strong market potential, and provide tiered rewards of up to 3 million yuan.(Lead Agency: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Publicity Department, Municipal Education Bureau, Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Municipal Commerce Bureau, and district governments)
IV. Building an Innovation Ecosystem for the Digital Creative Industry
(9) Implement Incentives for Premiere Events. Actively promote the premiere of digital creative products and services. Support the premiere screenings, performances, debuts, and exhibitions of high-quality cultural works in literature, film, television, animation, theater, and music. Support the first stop and debut performances of concert tours, as well as the inaugural competitions and exhibitions of major events and fairs. For high-quality cultural projects with significant driving force and influence, provide funding of up to 1 million yuan, not exceeding 20% of the total investment;For key premieres of performances, competitions, and exhibitions, an additional amount not exceeding 50% of the relevant funding standards under this policy will be provided. For the first stores, flagship stores, and innovative concept stores of digital creative products and IP-derived merchandise with broad influence, a reward of up to 1 million yuan will be granted. (Lead Units: Municipal Publicity Department, Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Units: Municipal Bureau of Commerce, District Governments)
(10) Cultivate the cultural IP market. Support IP creation and licensing, providing grants of up to 1 million yuan based on the number of licensed fields and licensing revenue. Support the development of IP-derived products, cultural and creative products, as well as IP-derived performances, exhibitions, and various forms of IP collaboration and adaptation, while actively fostering IP operators. For projects with strong social and commercial value, grants of up to 1 million yuan will be provided based on comprehensive evaluation and investment scale.Promote the valuation and trading of digital cultural assets, support the establishment of digital content copyright protection service platforms, and encourage intellectual property service agencies to provide professional services to digital creative enterprises. (Lead Agency: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Market Regulation Bureau, District Governments)
(11) Strengthen Talent Recruitment and Development. Support universities in advancing the development of digital creative-related majors and interdisciplinary programs. Support enterprises in collaborating with universities and social institutions to establish talent training bases. Support winning teams from national, provincial, and municipal innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry competitions in establishing businesses and developing their ventures locally. Support universities, social institutions, and operators of major cultural facilities in recruiting high-level cultural and creative talent.Explore criteria for recognizing high-level, in-demand talent in the industry, such as senior writers, screenwriters, directors, game producers, AI-assisted creation experts, virtual engine and real-time rendering engineers, and VR/AR interaction designers, and increase support for talent in the digital creative industry in areas such as housing and entrepreneurship.(Lead Agencies: Municipal Publicity Department, Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Talent Work Bureau, Municipal Education Bureau, Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, Municipal Human Resources Security Bureau, Municipal Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Service Bureau, and district governments)
(12) Leverage the clustering effect of platforms. Further enhance the influence of national-level platforms such as the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, the National Base for Cultural Trade with Foreign Countries (Shenzhen), and the Shenzhen Cultural Property Exchange (National Cultural Big Data Trading Center). Increase efforts to foster and facilitate cooperation among digital creative enterprises, providing annual special funding.Support the development of online platforms for fine arts, games, film and television, animation, performing arts, and online literature. For platforms with significant industry influence, provide annual funding of up to 2 million yuan, based on the platform’s scale and not exceeding 20% of its investment.High-quality digital creative industry clusters and distinctive cultural districts will be developed. Industrial agglomeration will be accelerated through urban renewal, industrial park upgrades, and encouraging enterprises to collectively lease or purchase underutilized and vacant commercial and office properties. Based on the degree of industrial concentration and comprehensive evaluation, industrial parks, building spaces, and distinctive cultural districts that have achieved significant digital creative industry agglomeration will be awarded up to 5 million yuan.Support the establishment of digital creative industry service agencies. For agencies providing specialized public services such as resource matching, technical services, project incubation, and research analysis, provide annual funding of up to 3 million yuan, not exceeding 30% of their investment. (Lead Units: Municipal Party Committee Publicity Department, Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Units: District Governments)
(13) Promote cultural foreign trade. Vigorously promote the global expansion of online literature, web series, online games, films, and television series, and support the development of specialized overseas service platforms and corporate overseas branches. Encourage the establishment of national and provincial-level export demonstration bases and model enterprises. Recognized national key cultural export enterprises and key projects will receive rewards of up to 500,000 yuan and 300,000 yuan, respectively.For translation and production costs associated with games, films, animations, and performing arts productions that make significant contributions to exports and have strong overseas influence, funding of up to 500,000 yuan will be provided, not exceeding 20% of the total investment, with an annual funding cap of 2 million yuan per enterprise. Enterprises and institutions participating in major art fairs and significant international exhibitions or events will receive funding of up to 300,000 yuan based on their investment.(Lead Agencies: Municipal Publicity Department, Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Municipal Qianhai Administration, and district governments)
(14) Cultivate a Matrix of Cultural Brands. Special funding will be provided for brand-name events such as the China International New Media Short Film Festival and the China TV Drama Production Industry Conference and China (Shenzhen) International TV Drama Program Fair, which have been approved by relevant national ministries and commissions, the province, or the city, or included in relevant industrial plans.Support will be provided for the hosting of influential exhibitions and events in the fields of film and television, animation, IP, and fine arts. Projects that achieve a certain scale and influence will receive funding of up to 300,000 yuan, not exceeding 30% of the total investment. (Lead Agency: Municipal Publicity Department; Cooperating Agencies: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Municipal Bureau of Commerce; District Governments)
(15) Guide financial capital investment. Optimize the investment scope and direction of digital creative industry funds, explore models that integrate investment with subsidies and investment with competitions, and invest in high-quality content creation, technological R&D, cultural infrastructure, and brand events.We will cultivate patient and bold capital in the cultural sector, supporting private capital in establishing industry funds for specialized fields such as gaming, film and television, animation, micro-short dramas, and online literature, with a focus on investing in content creation, IP incubation, and overseas expansion projects. We will encourage digital creative enterprises to raise funds through listings on domestic and international capital markets. (Lead Units: Municipal Party Committee Financial Affairs Office, Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Units: Municipal Finance Bureau, Municipal Bureau of Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Services; District Governments)
(16) Strengthen Coordination and Collaboration. Further deepen the reform of streamlining administration, delegating power, and improving government services. Improve the coordination mechanism for digital creative industry clusters. Encourage districts to formulate corresponding support policies based on local conditions and in conjunction with these measures, promoting coordination between the municipal and district levels and fostering differentiated development among districts. (Lead Agencies: Municipal Party Committee Publicity Department, Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports; Cooperating Agencies: Relevant agencies, district governments)
The Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports and the Municipal Publicity Department shall be responsible for interpreting these measures and formulating supporting operational guidelines. These measures shall take effect on August 11, 2025, and remain valid for three years. Where existing policies conflict with these measures, they shall be implemented in accordance with the principle of “applying the more favorable provision and avoiding duplication.”
