In an encouraging move for India's Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) industry, the Aniverse & Visual Arts Foundation (AVAF) has announced the debut edition of AniMela, marking India's first-ever international festival dedicated to the AVGC-XR spectrum. The four-day extravaganza is scheduled to take place at National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) in Mumbai from January 18 to 24, 2024.
AniMela, founded by AVAF, in collaboration with the Government of India (Ministry of Information & Broadcasting) and the renowned Annecy International Animation Festival, aims to provide a platform that not only showcases India's creative prowess but also facilitates global exposure for the country's AVGC-XR talent.
The festival is a response to the prevalent notion that India primarily serves as a backend support hub for Western studios, overlooking the immense potential and creativity inherent in the country's animators, VFX artists, game developers, and graphic novel creators. AniMela seeks to shift this narrative, positioning India as a front-runner in the creation of original, globally appealing content.
Here's What To Expect At AniMela
Film festival: AniMela will feature a diverse array of world-class animation film screenings, including behind-the-scenes glimpses into VFX production. The lineup spans international features, shorts, fiction, and non-fiction films. Attendees can also enjoy open-air screenings, film premieres, and engage in meet-and-greet sessions with filmmakers.
Experiential zone: Participants can immerse themselves in interactive booths and arcades, experiencing exclusive gaming demos, meeting world-renowned gamers and developers, and participating in gaming contests with exciting prizes. The XR/AI zone offers a chance to explore different worlds through VR and AR, showcasing the best international IPs. The curated comic section by Indie Comix Fest will feature indie comics, graphic novels, and art exhibitions, with opportunities to meet and learn from leading artists.
Knowledge-sharing and mentoring: AniMela will host masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions led by global experts, including figures such as Luce Grosjean (CEO- Miyu Distribution, France), Rajiv Chilaka (Creator of 'Chhota Bheem'), and Academy Award-nominated Australian animator Lachlan Pendragon. Educational institutes like the School of Visual Arts (New York), Griffith Institute (Australia), Rubika Institute (France), Whistling Woods International, and Frameboxx will also contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Networking: The festival will provide extensive networking opportunities through lunches and dinners with international guests, including studios, distributors, and buyers from Canada, France, Spain, the UK, Australia, Turkey, and Japan. These interactions are crucial for the growth and monetisation of the AVGC-XR sector.
AniMela's marks a pivotal moment for India to establish its presence in the global AVGC-XR landscape, breaking away from the perception of being a 'service-provider' to becoming a proactive creator-industry with globally recognised original IPs and stories.
One of the highlights of AniMela is the inclusion of the International MIFA Campus (IMC), providing education and mentorship opportunities for young Indian talents in the AVGC-XR sector. Selected projects from the IMC will undergo a 4-day workshop led by industry experts from the Annecy Animation Festival, with the chance to present their work to international buyers, producers, and distributors at the 'India Pitch Session' in June 2024.
As the festival gears up for its landmark debut, AniMela stands poised to transform India's AVGC-XR narrative and propel the nation to the forefront of global creativity and innovation in the field.