Chinese streaming giant iQIYI is making waves at this year’s Tribeca Festival with its latest mini-series, What a Wonderful World, premiering as an official selection. The high-concept suspense drama, part of the platform’s Microcosm Theater short-form content brand, marks one of the first Chinese-language series to be featured in this category at Tribeca, highlighting a growing global interest in premium short-format storytelling.

Directed and written by celebrated filmmaker Xu Bing, known for The Red and New World, the series stars Zhao Liying and Yin Fang in a story that blends psychological suspense with elements of science fiction. At its heart is the character Xu Tian (played by Yin Fang), a man grappling with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), who embarks on a journey to confront his fragmented psyche and uncover the truth about himself.

Critically-Acclaimed Run

The series recently concluded its successful digital run on iQIYIs Microcosm Theater, a flagship brand known for its focus on innovative narratives told in fewer episodes. With a bold, avant-garde visual style and emotionally complex storytelling, What a Wonderful World continues the momentum from last year’s critically praised To the Wonder.

Xu Bing’s direction in What a Wonderful World utilises a fragmented narrative approach that mirrors the protagonist’s mental disintegration, creating a symbolically rich experience that engages viewers on both emotional and philosophical levels. Zhao Liying, already a household name in Chinese television, delivers a nuanced performance and also contributed behind the scenes, enhancing the show’s depth and cohesion.

iQIYI’s entry into the Tribeca Festival with this series not only reflects the increasing global visibility of Chinese content but also signals a broader trend in international storytelling — one that values artistic experimentation and psychological depth within accessible, short-form formats.

“With What a Wonderful World, we aimed to tell a universal story about identity and healing,” said director Xu Bing. “It’s an honour to present this work to a global audience at Tribeca.”

As international audiences become more receptive to non-English dramas, the Tribeca premiere represents both a cultural milestone and a showcase of how digital platforms like iQIYI are redefining the boundaries of episodic storytelling.