Celebrating Creativity and Innovation in Animation

Introduction

The Animation Filmmakers Competition is a pioneering initiative aimed at uncovering and empowering India's storytellers in the field of animation. This nationwide competition invites filmmakers to showcase their creativity and innovation, providing them with a platform to present original animated films that resonate with audiences. In a landmark collaboration, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has teamed up with Dancing Atoms, a leading force in animation to launch this competition as part of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES).

The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in its first edition is a unique hub and spoke platform poised for the convergence of the entire Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector. The event is a premier global event that aims to bring the focus of the global M&E industry to India and connect it with the Indian M&E sector along with its talent.

The summit will take place from May 1-4, 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens in Mumbai. With a focus on four key pillars—Broadcasting & Infotainment, AVGC-XR, Digital Media & Innovation, and Films-WAVES will bring together leaders, creators and technologists to showcase the future of India’s entertainment industry.

The Animation Filmmakers Competition is a key initiative under Pillar 2 of the WAVES AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics, Extended Reality) framework. With the registration for the challenge now closed, a remarkable 1,290 participants have submitted their entries, including 19 international participants. This strong response highlights the growing interest and global appeal of the competition.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the competition, applicants had to meet the following eligibility criteria before the submission deadline:

These criteria ensured a wide range of participants from diverse backgrounds could take part in the competition.

Submission Guidelines

During registration, participants were required to submit the following materials before the deadline:

While films could be made in any language, participants were asked to ensure that the submission form was completed in English, as the competition includes an international panel of jurors.

Selected participants will have the opportunity to refine their film concepts through intensive masterclasses and personalized mentorship from industry experts. The competition is structured in multiple stages, aimed at nurturing and elevating the most promising ideas.

Important Deadlines

The submission period for the competition began on September 10^th, 2024 and closed on November 30^th, 2024. Following this, the selection and mentorship rounds are underway, with the final selection set to be announced in April 2025. Below are the key timelines for the competition:

Evaluation Criteria

The judges will evaluate submissions based on the following key criteria:

Prize

 The Animation Filmmakers Competition offers a unique opportunity for both amateurs and professionals to showcase their creative ideas. Participants will benefit from expert mentorship, masterclasses, and the chance to pitch their projects to industry leaders, with exciting prizes and global exposure awaiting the winners.

Conclusion

The Animation Filmmakers Competition provides a unique platform for creators to showcase their talent, with mentorship, masterclasses, and the chance to pitch to industry leaders. As the final selection nears, the competition continues to inspire creativity and innovation in India's animation sector.

References

• https://wavesindia.org/challenges-2025
• https://waves.dancingatoms.com/wafc

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Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Kamna Lakaria