WAVES Animation & Filmmaking Competition – Empowering India’s Creative Economy

In what can be aptly called a landmark initiative to stimulate creativity and innovation within India's media and entertainment (M&E) industry, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), in collaboration with Dancing Atoms, has launched the WAVES Originals Animation Filmmakers Competition, part of the “Create in India Challenge - Season 1” that aims to nurture homegrown talent while providing a global platform for creators to showcase their work.

Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “WAVES will position India as a global powerhouse in the M&E landscape. It will facilitate close collaboration between the M&E industry and technology, serving as a premier forum for fostering dialogue, trade, and innovation.”

WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Design in India, Design for the World,” articulated in his recent Independence Day speech. The summit aims to attract industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore opportunities, address challenges, and bolster India’s role in the future of media and entertainment. As the AVGC-XR sector continues to grow in importance across media, filmmaking, OTT platforms, gaming, health, and education, this competition reflects India’s burgeoning influence in the digital space.

I invite the creators community to showcase their talent and strengthen the ‘Create in India’ movement by taking part in these challenges. https://t.co/AElwWPTepe pic.twitter.com/Fkm2ypWoaU

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2024

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, who unveiled the Create in India Challenge – Season 1, noted, “This competition is a unique opportunity for creators across India and the world to shape their stories and showcase their talent.”

According to Neerja Shekar IAS (Haryana 1993), currently serving as the Additional Secretary, MIB, “The WAVES initiative marks a significant leap in elevating India's creative talent on the global stage while driving financial success for content creators. Through animation, VFX, and virtual production innovations, we are nurturing the next generation of storytellers and showcasing India's rich cultural heritage through cutting-edge mediums. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is proud to lead the WAVES Summit, set to take place in New Delhi in February 2024, empowering creators to bring their visions to life and solidifying India’s position as a global leader in the animation industry."

Saraswathi Buyyala, Writer, Director, and CEO  of Dancing Atoms, in articulating her vision for the competition, stated, “With this initiative, we aim to empower Indian storytellers 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 are no restrictions on eligibility - students, professionals, kids with the guidance of their parents and creators of all ages are welcome to participate. This is a unique opportunity for individuals across India who have always dreamt of making their own film.”

To maximize outreach, WAVES is actively seeking the support of companies and educational institutions to promote the competition and raise awareness throughout India. For more information on waves please visit https://wavesindia.org/.  Business are invited to amplify the message and engage their networks; schools and colleges are also encouraged to motivate their students to participate in this initiative, helping them refine their storytelling skills and bring their creative visions to life. The MIB and Dancing Atoms invites Industry sponsorship for this competition to ensure their films are being made.

The timing for this competition is critical, as the global virtual production market is projected to surge from USD 1.82 billion in 2022 to USD 5.4 billion by 2026. This growth is driven by rising demand for visual effects in genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, and animation, alongside the adoption of virtual production by streaming services to cut costs and reduce time-to-screen. Additionally, the global animation market, valued at over USD 391 billion in 2022, is anticipated to surpass USD 587 billion by 2030.

Participating in this competition presents an opportunity to invest in oneself and engage with this expanding industry. By fostering greater participation, everyone involved can help shape the next generation of storytellers and empower the Indian creator economy.

About the WAVES Animation & Filmmaking Competition

The WAVES competition invites both amateur and professional creators in Animation, VFX, Virtual Production, and AR/VR to showcase their innovative ideas. Winners will vie for cash prizes of up to ₹5 lakhs and receive mentorship from both Indian and international industry experts. Furthermore, selected projects will be featured at the prestigious World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), scheduled to take place in New Delhi in February 2025.

The Animation Filmmakers Competition, WAVES ORIGINALS, will culminate in a high-stakes pitch session where finalists will present their polished projects to a distinguished panel of film and TV producers, investors, and industry leaders, providing a vital opportunity for turning cinematic dreams into reality. Additionally, participants' stories will gain widespread attention in both local and international media, enhancing their global visibility.

The competition is open to creators of all levels, requiring only a solid idea for submission. Participants will benefit from masterclasses and personalized mentorship to develop their projects, culminating in the high-stakes pitch session.

Key Dates:

• Submissions Close November 30, 2024
• Mentorship Phase 1: December 2024
• Selection Round One: January 2025
• Mentorship Phase 2: January 2025
• Final Pitches: February 2025 at the WAVES Summit

Submission Guidelines:

• Submit a logline, a 2-page summary of your film idea, and a poster that captures your concept.
• Films can be in any language, but the submission form must be in English for international jury review.
• Judging will focus on originality, entertainment value, market appeal, and audience engagement.

For more information and to submit your idea, visit: WAVES Competition Submission.

Source: WAVES

Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.