Core Viewpoint - The Chinese film industry is facing significant challenges, with a stark contrast between the box office performance of animated films and traditional cinema, leading to a potential crisis for many theaters and production companies [2][3][5]. Group 1: Market Performance - The box office threshold for the Chinese film industry is set at 48 billion, with a failure to reach this number potentially leading to the closure of 70% of theaters [2]. - In 2023, the total box office revenue was 42.5 billion, while the short drama market reached 50.4 billion, indicating a shift in audience preference [2]. - Despite a 18.47% increase in box office revenue during the 2024 Spring Festival, the overall annual box office saw a decline of 22.6% [3]. Group 2: Industry Challenges - The film industry is characterized by unpredictable blockbuster content, high production costs, and a lack of cash flow during production, making it a risky investment [8][10]. - The revenue structure of the film industry is unhealthy, with a significant disparity in valuation compared to the gaming industry, which has a more robust revenue model [11][12]. - The gaming industry is projected to generate 325.78 billion in revenue in 2024, significantly overshadowing the film industry's total box office [25]. Group 3: Production Insights - The production of "Nezha 2" involved over 4,000 animators and 138 visual effect companies, highlighting the increasing complexity and cost of animation projects [17][19]. - The production strategy of "Nezha 2" contrasts with traditional methods, as it adopted a more extensive team approach, which may increase uncertainty in return on investment [19][20]. - The success of "Nezha 2" is partly attributed to the spillover effects from the gaming industry, which has been rapidly expanding and attracting talent [20][24]. Group 4: Strategic Approaches - Companies like Light Chaser Animation are diversifying their investments to mitigate risks, aiming to cover losses from multiple projects with the success of a few [36][38]. - The industry has seen a trend towards producing stable, family-friendly content that can ensure consistent cash flow, as exemplified by the "Boonie Bears" series [13][14]. - The approach of treating film production like venture capital, where the success of one project can offset the failures of others, is becoming more prevalent [36][38].