Representatives from more than 40 countries, along with winners from 31 separate creative industry challenges, will converge in Mumbai for the inaugural conference, the first of its kind, with meetings, exhibitions and talks on topics from across animation, VFX, gaming, comics, XR, infotainment, and film.
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) Summit will soon get started, running May 1-4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The WAVES Animation & Filmmaking Competition, one of 31 challenges that have taken place over the past months within the Indian government’s WAVES Competition, will culminate with winners and key industry partners from more than 40 countries attending the Summit,
A joint effort by the central and state governments, the four-day Summit is the first event of its kind ever in India, bringing together leaders from across government and the international Media & Entertainment industry for four days of meetings, presentations, exhibitions, and networking. Winners from the expansive WAVES Challenges will also be announced, with many in attendance. And the event will be kicked-off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The conference goals in expanding exposure and reach for the M&E industry are lofty:
- Amplify India’s voice as a global powerhouse
- Promote cross-cultural exchange
- Open new markets and opportunities
- Build a skilled workforce
- Embrace innovation
The hope is to position WAVES as a compelling new platform to inspire and promote idea, fuel conversation, facilitate knowledge transfer, and spur meaningful creative and business collaborations across the globe.
The full set of 31 challenges saw submissions in Broadcasting & Infotainment, AVGC-XR, Digital Media & Innovation, and Film, which represent the pillars of the WAVES initiative. The WAVES Animation Filmmakers Competition (AFC) generated hundreds of submissions from both amateur and professional creators in Animation, VFX, Virtual Production, and AR/VR, all showcasing and pitching their innovative project ideas. Judged by an international group of experts, the winners will received cash prizes, as well receive mentorship from both Indian and international industry experts. Selected projects will be features at the Summit, along with their creators.
The driving force behind the AFC is Dancing Atoms and its CEO Saraswathi Buyyala, who ran the competition with an eye not just towards awarding excellence, but encouraging and empowering creative artists to participate, knowing that expert support through mentoring and potential production collaboration was a key part of the program’s goals.
The longtime animation and VFX industry development and operations executive shared her vision for the competition, saying, “With this initiative, we aimed to engage and encourage storytellers from around the world… and in India, and help turn their ideas into reality. Bring their stories to screen, in animation, visual effects, virtual production, AR and VR under the Animation Film Makers Competition. There were no restrictions on eligibility - students, professionals, kids with the guidance of their parents and creators of all ages were welcome to participate. And they did! This has been an unprecedented opportunity for individuals across India and the globe who have always dreamt of making their own film.”
Visit the WAVES website for more information and to purchase passes.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
