🏄 SURF: Signature-Retained Fast Video Generation

CVPR 2026

Kaixin Ding¹, Xi Chen¹, Sihui Ji¹, Yuan Gao², Liang Hou², Xin Tao², Pengfei Wan², Hengshuang Zhao¹

¹The University of Hong Kong
²Kling Team, KuaishouTechnology

Paper (Arxiv)

GitHub

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TL;DR: High-resolution video generation is slow: for example, Wan 2.1 takes over 50 minutes to generate a 720p video. Existing acceleration methods often compromise model priors (layout, semantics, motion). We propose SURF, a two-stage framework: first, a fast low-resolution preview using a pretrained model; second, a Refiner to upscale while preserving priors. Key techniques include noise reshifting to reduce prior loss and shifting windows with careful training design. SURF is simple, efficient, and compatible with various base models, achieving 12.5× speedup for generating 5-second, 16fps, 720p Wan 2.1 videos and 8.7× speedup for generating 5-second, 24fps, 720p HunyuanVideo.

SURF teaser visual results — **Teaser.** SURF keeps high-resolution video generation fast while preserving the base model's layout, semantics, and motion priors. The examples show that the refined videos remain faithful to the prompt without paying the full inference cost.

SURF pipeline overview — **Pipeline.** The method first generates a low-resolution preview, then uses a Refiner to recover high-resolution details. Noise reshifting and shifting windows help the refinement stage scale efficiently without losing temporal consistency.

Show Cases on 720P

Hover on the video to see corresponding text prompts

SURF / 278s

A dry rainbow rose is coming back to life.

SURF / 278s

A couple stands in a picturesque park during autumn, surrounded by vibrant, fallen leaves. The man, wearing a cozy brown sweater and jeans, gently holds the woman's face, who is dressed in a flowing red scarf and a beige coat. Their eyes close as they share a tender kiss, the golden sunlight filtering through the trees casting a warm glow on their faces. The camera captures the intimate moment from various angles, highlighting the emotion and connection between them. The background features a serene lake and distant mountains, enhancing the romantic atmosphere.

SURF / 278s

A determined individual in a sleek black tank top and gray athletic shorts performs push-ups on a pristine wooden floor in a minimalist, sunlit room. The camera captures the sweat glistening on their forehead, emphasizing their intense focus and dedication. As they lower themselves, the muscles in their arms and back ripple with effort, showcasing their strength and endurance. The room's large windows allow beams of natural light to highlight their form, casting dynamic shadows that accentuate each movement. The serene ambiance of the space contrasts with the vigorous exercise, creating a powerful visual of discipline and perseverance.

SURF / 278s

Iron Man, clad in his iconic red and gold armor, soars through a clear blue sky, leaving a trail of white vapor behind him.

SURF / 278s

A focused individual grips the steering wheel of a sleek, modern car, the dashboard illuminated by soft, ambient lighting. The camera captures the driver's profile, revealing a calm expression and a pair of stylish sunglasses. Outside the window, a picturesque landscape of rolling hills and a setting sun unfolds, casting a golden glow over the scene. The interior of the car is luxurious, with leather seats and a state-of-the-art infotainment system. As the car glides smoothly along the winding road, the driver occasionally glances at the rearview mirror, reflecting a serene, empty highway behind. The journey exudes a sense of freedom and tranquility, with the gentle hum of the engine providing a soothing soundtrack.

SURF / 278s

A mesmerizing jellyfish gracefully drifts through the deep ocean, its translucent body pulsating rhythmically.

SURF / 278s

A person with a focused expression stands at a rustic wooden table, wearing a white apron over a casual outfit. They carefully slice a large, ripe watermelon, the vibrant red flesh contrasting with the green rind. The scene captures the juicy fruit's freshness, with close-up shots of the knife gliding through the watermelon, revealing its succulent interior. The person's hands, steady and precise, handle the fruit with care, creating perfect, mouth-watering slices. The background features a sunlit kitchen with potted herbs on the windowsill, adding a homely, inviting atmosphere to the scene.

SURF / 278s

A person stands at a kitchen sink, wearing a cozy, oversized sweater and rubber gloves, surrounded by a warm, inviting kitchen. Sunlight streams through a nearby window, casting a golden glow on the scene. The person carefully scrubs a plate, their movements methodical and soothing. The camera captures the gentle swirls of soap bubbles and the clinking of dishes. Nearby, a vase of fresh flowers adds a touch of color and life to the countertop. The person pauses to look out the window, taking a moment to enjoy the peaceful view of a blooming garden before returning to their task with a contented smile.

SURF / 278s

A bustling freeway at night, illuminated by a cascade of headlights and taillights, creates a mesmerizing river of light. The camera captures the scene from an elevated angle, showcasing the intricate dance of vehicles weaving through lanes. The city skyline in the background glows with the soft, ambient light of skyscrapers, while the freeway itself is framed by streetlights casting a warm, golden hue. Occasional flashes of neon signs and billboards add vibrant splashes of color to the scene. The rhythmic flow of traffic, combined with the distant hum of engines, paints a dynamic yet serene picture of urban life after dark.

Show Cases on 1080p

Hover on the video to see corresponding text prompts

A person smiling while lifting a sign labeled 'surf', wind blowing through their hair.

SURF / 331s

A corgi's head depicted as an explosion of a nebula

SURF / 331s

A cute fluffy panda eating Chinese food in a restaurant_video

SURF / 331s

A cute happy Corgi playing in park, sunset, in super slow motion_video

SURF / 331s

A panda drinking coffee in a cafe in Paris, zoom out_video

SURF / 331s

A girl twirling in the starry night sky, her costume shimmering with pastel colors, feathers floating around, rendered in a dreamy magical anime illustration.

SURF / 331s

A person is baby waking up_video

SURF / 331s

A person is clay pottery making_video

SURF / 331s

A person is crawling baby_video

SURF / 331s

Mickey Mouse twirling elegantly on a wooden stage, performing a ballet duet with Minnie, petals falling around them, captured in a soft, painterly style with romantic lighting.

SURF / 331s

A beautiful coastal beach in spring, waves lapping on sand, pan right.

SURF / 331s

A koala bear playing piano in the forest

SURF / 331s

Pikachu dancing joyfully in a sunlit meadow, its cheeks glowing softly, surrounded by blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies, captured in a vibrant watercolor style, with soft shadows and dynamic motion of its tiny paws and tail.

SURF / 331s

A person is bending back_video

SURF / 331s

A young girl dancing joyfully in the clouds, magical staff glowing, surrounded by rainbow-colored sparkles, illustrated in a detailed Cardcaptor Sakura-inspired style.

SURF / 331s

A lively Pikachu dancing in a field of glowing mushrooms at night, soft bioluminescent lights reflecting on its yellow fur, tiny sparks of electricity in the air, captured in a whimsical, fantasy-inspired watercolor style.

SURF / 331s

Comparisons

Quantitative comparison on Wan 2.1

Method	QS↑	AQ↑	DD↑	MS↑	OC↑	SA↑	PC↑	Time↓	Speed↑	PFLOPs↓
Wan 2.1	83.31	66.9	63.89	97.65	27.08	41.82	45.45	3497 (58min)	1×	658.46
30% Step	77.92	58.43	56.94	96.95	24.56	18.18	16.36	1049	3.34×	197.54
50% Step	81.51	63.52	66.67	96.99	25.90	25.45	23.64	1748	2×	329.23
SVG	83.36	65.6	68.06	97.69	27.32	25.45	20.00	2712	1.29×	429.86
DMD	83.31	66.11	52.78	98.96	26.77	34.55	30.91	282	12.40×	39.51
Ours	83.26	66.86	72.22	97.95	27.38	41.82	38.18	278	12.58×	34.3

Ours

Ours