At the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, something exciting was announced that will make movie fans very happy. The China Film Foundation, along with other partners, revealed two big projects that use artificial intelligence (AI) to bring old martial arts movies back to life. One project will restore 100 classic kung fu films using AI, improving their picture and sound while keeping the original feel of the movies. The other project is even more surprising—it’s the world’s first fully AI-made animated movie, showing just how much AI is changing the way films are created.

The restoration project is part of something called the Kung Fu Film Heritage Project. Its goal is to take old martial arts films, some of which are very famous, and use AI to make them look and sound better. This doesn’t mean changing the story or the way the films were made—just cleaning them up so they look as good as new. Some of the movies that will be fixed include Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury and The Big Boss, Jackie Chan’s Drunken Master, and other classics like Once Upon a Time in China. These films are important because they show the world the energy and spirit of Chinese martial arts.

Zhang Qilin, the chair of the China Film Foundation, spoke about why this project matters. He said, "From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan, from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' to 'Wolf Warrior,' these films have shown the world the vitality and spirit of the Chinese people. They are our cinematic calling cards to the world." This means these movies are like China’s way of introducing itself to the world through action and storytelling. Now, with AI, a new generation will be able to enjoy them in better quality.

The second big announcement was about a fully AI-made animated movie called A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border. This is a huge step forward because normally, making an animated film takes a lot of time and work from many people. But with AI, the process is much faster. The movie is proof that AI can help filmmakers create stories in new and exciting ways.

Tian Ming, the chair of Canxing Media, shared that out of the 100 films being restored, ten will be worked on first. These ten will set the standard for how the rest of the films will be improved. The whole project is a long-term commitment, meaning it will take time, but the results will be worth it.

This news is not just exciting for fans of martial arts movies but also for anyone who loves cinema. AI is changing how movies are made, restored, and even imagined. In the past, restoring old films was a slow and expensive process. But now, AI can do it faster and sometimes even better. It can remove scratches from old film reels, fix blurry scenes, and even enhance sound quality. This means movies that were once hard to watch because of poor quality can now be enjoyed like never before.

Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan are two of the biggest names in martial arts cinema. Bruce Lee’s movies introduced the world to kung fu, while Jackie Chan’s films mixed action with comedy in a way no one had seen before. Their movies are loved by millions, and now, thanks to AI, they will look sharper and sound clearer. Imagine watching Enter the Dragon or Police Story with visuals so clean it feels like they were made yesterday—that’s what this project aims to do.

The use of AI in movies doesn’t stop at restoration. Filmmakers are now using AI to create special effects, write scripts, and even compose music. Some people worry that AI might take jobs away from humans, but others see it as a tool that helps artists do more. For example, an AI can quickly generate background scenes, allowing filmmakers to focus on storytelling.

The Shanghai International Film Festival is one of the most important film events in Asia, and this announcement shows how China is leading in using technology to preserve its film history. The US is also working on similar projects, using AI to restore classic Hollywood films. This means that soon, movie lovers everywhere will have access to cleaner, clearer versions of their favorite old films.

Martial arts movies have a special place in cinema. They are not just about fighting—they are about discipline, honor, and culture. By restoring these films, the China Film Foundation is making sure that future generations can learn from and enjoy them. Whether it’s Bruce Lee’s powerful strikes or Jackie Chan’s hilarious stunts, these movies have something for everyone.

The AI restoration process works by scanning the original film and then using algorithms to fix problems. If there’s a tear in the film, AI can fill in the missing parts. If the colors have faded, AI can bring them back to life. It’s like giving an old painting a fresh coat of paint without changing the artist’s original work.

While this is great news, some film lovers wonder if AI might change too much. Will the movies still feel the same? The China Film Foundation assures fans that the goal is to preserve the original style, not alter it. The soul of these films—the action, the emotions, the cultural importance—will remain untouched.

In the end, this project is about celebrating the past while using the technology of the future. Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan’s films have inspired countless people around the world. Now, with AI, they will continue to inspire for many more years. The US and China may be working separately on similar projects, but the goal is the same—to keep the magic of classic movies alive.

As AI keeps improving, who knows what else will be possible? Maybe one day, we’ll see entirely new movies made in the style of old classics, all thanks to AI. For now, fans can look forward to watching their favorite martial arts films in the best quality ever. The future of film restoration is here, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence.