AOTO and CBIC Co-Host CITS 2025 at BIRTV Expo, Spotlight Future of Virtual Production
Beijing, China – July 23, 2025 — Co-hosted by AOTO and the China Broadcasting International Corporation (CBIC), the Cinematech Innovation & Trends Summit 2025 (CITS 2025) took place at the Hilton Beijing Hotel as part of the official BIRTV2025 program.
Over 150 professionals from the film, broadcasting, and technology sectors (including representatives from China Film Group, iQIYI, Aputure, G-Ka, and Beijing Film Academy) gathered to explore how emerging tools are reshaping the way stories are told.
In his opening address, Wu Hanqu, Founder of AOTO, highlighted the rapid global adoption of LED-based virtual production:
Wu Hanqu, AOTO Founder, opening remarks at CITS 2025.
Global Perspective: Noah Kadner on Real-Time Production
A major highlight of CITS 2025 was the keynote speech by Noah Kadner, Editor at American Cinematographer and author of The Virtual Production Field Guide. Known for his deep insights into LED volume workflows and Unreal Engine pipelines, Kadner offered a global perspective on how real-time tools are transforming every stage of production.
Kadner explained: “Virtual production isn't merely a technological upgrade; it represents a fundamental shift in mindset. Filmmakers are moving key decisions earlier into previsualization. Real-time lighting, environment builds, and performance capture are enabling more flexible, collaborative, and visually cohesive productions.”
He also discussed how virtual production is becoming more accessible across budget levels—from indie shorts to blockbuster features—and emphasized the need for standardized workflows to support broader adoption. His case studies included LED stage use in episodic content, hybrid location/volume shoots, and the growing influence of AI in generating and iterating visual assets.
“The future of virtual production is all about accessibility and modularity,” Kadner concluded. “What used to take weeks can now happen in real time, on-camera, with the entire creative team engaged in the process.”
Noah Kadner, Virtual Production Editor at American Cinematographer, speaking at CITS 2025.
Industry Voices: AI, XR, and LED Innovation
A diverse group of experts shared insights on how emerging technologies are redefining content creation:
- Wu Wei, Vice Chairman & VP at AOTO, presented XR use cases in livestream commerce, education, and training—emphasizing the adaptability of AOTO’s LED systems.
- Ma Ping, Vice President of the China Society of Cinematographers (CNSC), showcased AI-driven content generation and the shift toward algorithm-assisted creative workflows.
- Bian Wei, Executive Director of China Film Technology and General Manager of CINITY, shared that CINITY LED theaters accounted for 26.79% of this year’s Spring Festival box office and are expanding into esports and live events.
- Zhao Jianjun, Professor at Beijing Film Academy, addressed challenges in LED-based production such as moiré effects, color accuracy, and camera synchronization. He emphasized the value of academic-industry collaboration.
Wu Wei, Vice Chairman & VP at AOTO, presenting on XR applications at CITS 202
Bian Wei, Executive Director, China Film Technology; GM, CINITY — on CINITY's box office success
Closing Roundtable: Standards, Skills, and Scalability
A closing roundtable moderated by Ma Ping addressed key challenges including standardization, talent development, and the integration of creative and technical workflows.
Panelists included leaders from AOTO, G-Ka Robotics, iQIYI, the Royal Canadian Film School, and Aputure. The group emphasized building a new generation of professionals skilled in both storytelling and real-time production technologies.
From left to right: Ma Ping (Vice President, CNSC), Zhu Liang (VP, iQIYI), Wang Gang (Technical Director of Virtual Production, Royal Canadian Film School), Li He (Founder, G-Ka Robotics), Ni Junxiong (CTO, Aputure), and Wu Wei (Vice Chairman & VP, AOTO).
About CITS 2025
The Cinematech Innovation & Trends Summit (CITS 2025) is a flagship event under BIRTV2025, co-hosted by CBIC and AOTO Electronics. The summit explores innovations in virtual production, AI-driven workflows, XR applications, and LED technology—connecting global creators and technologists shaping the future of media.