Measures to boost digital creative industry (2026-2029)

The Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports issued the “Operational Measures of the Support Plan for Promoting High-quality Development of Digital Creative Industry,” which took effect April 28, 2026 and will remain valid for three years.

An official from the bureau said the measures are designed to make better use of fiscal funds for high-quality, clustered growth in the digital creative industry. By focusing on technological innovation, platform empowerment and business model integration, Shenzhen aims to become a globally influential digital creative industry hub.

The text below covers only part of the broader initiative described in the full article. For more details, visit: https://www.sz.gov.cn/szzt2010/szcycx/cyjq/cyzc/content/post_12730094.html 

The measures support key sectors and emerging businesses, including gaming, film and television, animation, microdramas, performances and science fiction. Support covers 20 categories, including:

· R&D and application of digital creative technologies

· Hosting gaming competitions and events

· Developing performance ticketing platforms in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)

· Building performance venues with innovative setups or presentation formats

· Large-scale commercial performances, high-quality concerts, and innovative shows

· Innovating cultural business models and demonstration projects

· Debut-store openings

· IP creation and licensing

· Development of IP-derived products (merchandise, creative goods, stage productions, exhibitions, and cross-IP collaborations)

· The China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) and its outstanding subvenues

· Cultural trade promotion bases

· Online platform development and operation

· Digital creative industry clusters and service institutions

· National key cultural export enterprises and projects

· Translation and production of games, films, TV series, animation, and performance productions

· Participation in major art fairs and international exhibitions

Each applicant may submit up to one project per support category, with a maximum total annual funding of 20 million yuan.

Projects

Digital creative technology R&D projects: subsidies of up to 5 million yuan, capped at 20% of investment. For projects primarily developed on OpenHarmony-based devices, the funding ratio may rise to 30%.

Performance venues with innovative settings and presentation formats: subsidies of up to 2 million yuan.

Large-scale commercial performances, high-quality concerts, and innovative shows: up to 600,000 yuan per show.

Projects that premiere in Shenzhen or choose Shenzhen as the first stop of a tour may receive an additional subsidy of up to 50% of the original funding amount.

Industry clusters and platforms

Qualified digital creative industry clusters: a one-time award of up to 5 million yuan.

Online platforms in the digital creative sector: up to 2 million yuan, capped at 20% of investment.

Other support includes funding for the ICIF and its subvenues, the National Cultural Trade Promotion Base (Shenzhen), and digital creative industry service institutions.