The Ecological Evolution of the Online Film Industry Chain in the Past Decade

Abstract

Objective: Over the past decade (2014–2024), China's online film industry has exhibited a diversified ecological landscape marked by significant industrial chain evolution. Regulatory frameworks have shifted from self-governance to professionalization, while the industrial structure has transitioned from fragmentation to institutionalization. Concurrently, genre content has evolved from hybrid forms toward a new quality cinema characterized by non-fictional themes, strong technological empowerment, and defamiliarization effects. Furthermore, dissemination has advanced from vertical niche-based private circles to matrix-based communication in the public sphere. Methods: The practices in China's online film industry over the past decade have culminated in a community centered on improving quality while reducing output, sustained refinement and high-quality development powered by the integration of art and technology. This offers strategic insights for exploring new frontiers in the online film sector.