An Analysis of the Bidirectional Shaping Mechanism Between Short-Video Algorithms and Film Narrative Driven by the Attention Economy

Abstract

This study examines the bidirectional shaping mechanism between short-video algorithms and film narratives within the attention economy. It investigates how algorithmic logic influences cinematic storytelling and how films, in turn, contribute to the aesthetic enhancement of short-video content. Drawing on Communication Accommodation Theory and Berry’s Acculturation Theory, along with case analyses and industry data, this research demonstrates that algorithms push films toward high-stimulus, fast-paced narrative patterns—characterized by increased shot density and structural fragmentation—to capture and retain viewer attention. Conversely, films counter this influence by supplying narratively deep and artistically refined content that elevates short-video aesthetics and encourages critical audience engagement. This dynamic reflects a process of mutual adaptation rather than one-sided dominance. The study concludes that such interaction signifies a broader restructuring of cultural production logic, facilitating cross-media convergence while simultaneously posing risks to cultural diversity due to the prioritization of high-traffic content. Balancing this relationship will require policy support, algorithmic transparency, and strengthened industry self-regulation to preserve artistic integrity and cultural ecosystem diversity.