Volcano Engine, ByteDance’s cloud and AI services platform, launched an incentive program offering up to 200,000 yuan per AI drama made with Seedance. According to ChainCatcher, the program covers AI animated and AI-generated realistic dramas released on the Hongguo Short Drama app, excluding live-action productions.

Eligible videos must be made entirely with Seedance, with Seedance 2.5 accounting for more than 50% of production. To qualify, a work must rank among the monthly top 50 AI dramas by Hongguo popularity score and pass review. Monthly awards are 200,000 yuan per title for ranks 1–10, 100,000 yuan for ranks 11–20, and 50,000 yuan for ranks 21–50. Each award consists of 50% cash and 50% in vouchers, redeemable for Volcano Ark API tokens, “Juchuang” access, or the “Manju Creation Tool.”

Applicants must verify their work and generation records and may be asked to provide original generated materials. False or unverifiable submissions will be disqualified. Applications for the first round close on January 31, 2027.