In a groundbreaking move for India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) industry, the Aniverse & Visual Arts Foundation (AVAF) proudly presents AniMela, the country’s first international AVGC-XR festival. Scheduled to unfold over four exhilarating days, from January 19th to 21st, 2024, at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) on Peddar Road, Mumbai, AniMela is poised to redefine India’s presence on the global AVGC-XR stage.
AniMela, a brainchild of AVAF, has garnered extensive support from the Government of India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the esteemed Annecy International Animation Festival, often hailed as the ‘Cannes’ of Animation. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between Indian creators and the global AVGC-XR community, fostering a platform for talent exchange, networking, and international exposure.
The festival promises an immersive experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike, with a diverse range of activities spanning film screenings, workshops, gaming zones, comic book showcases, and extended reality experiences. AniMela aims to dispel the notion that India is only a backend service provider for the global AVGC-XR industry and instead positions the country as a front-runner in creating original, globally resonant content.
Film Festival: A Glimpse into Animation’s Finest
AniMela’s Film Festival will feature a curated selection of international animation films, shorts, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of VFX masterpieces. Attendees can enjoy open-air screenings, premieres, and engage in meet-and-greet sessions with renowned filmmakers.
Experiential Zone: Dive into the World of AVGC-XR
The Experiential Zone offers attendees the chance to explore gaming demos, meet world-renowned gamers and developers, and immerse themselves in virtual and augmented reality experiences. The comic section, curated by Indie Comix Fest, promises a showcase of indie comics, graphic novels, and art exhibitions.
Knowledge-sharing & Mentoring: Nurturing Emerging Talent
The festival’s Knowledge Section will host masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions by global experts, including luminaries like Rajiv Chilaka, Luce Grosjean, and Mickael Marin. A dedicated space for family screenings and activities ensures that even younger audiences can be part of this educational and entertaining experience.
Networking: Connecting Indian Creators with the World
AniMela goes beyond a celebration of AVGC-XR and becomes a platform for networking. The festival provides opportunities for attendees to connect with international guests, studios, distributors, and buyers, fostering collaborations and paving the way for market expansion and monetization opportunities.
International MIFA Campus: Nurturing Young Talent
AniMela introduces the International MIFA Campus to India, offering a 4-day workshop for selected animation projects. Renowned industry experts from the Annecy Animation Festival will mentor these projects, with the top five gaining the opportunity to present at the ‘India Pitch Session’ at Annecy – MIFA in June 2024.
Kireet Khurana, Festival Director of AniMela, expresses the festival’s vision: “With AniMela, we intend to align with our Government’s thrust of Create-In-India and build a platform of international pedigree, exhibiting excellent films, games, and other forms of visual arts created by Indian independent talent and studios to a larger audience and promote them internationally.”
Neha Jain, Executive Director at AniMela, adds, “Most audiences in India perceive animation as children’s content, there is no understanding of adult animation. Similarly, there is very limited knowledge about the possibilities around VFX, Gaming, and XR. With AniMela, we seek to break away from these restrictive perceptions and create more awareness and interest around the industry.”
Anne Doshi, Artistic Director at AniMela, emphasizes the festival’s role in empowering Indian talents: “The festival will empower Indian talents and aspirants to engage in cross-cultural exchange of ideas, explore beyond their horizons and help nurture the growth of this community. It intends to fill the gaps via training and mentoring and propel India’s international presence in the global AVGC landscape.”
As AniMela opens its registrations on Paytm Insider, the festival is set to become a cultural landmark in the AVGC-XR space, supported by a network of organizations including the French Institute in India, Media & Entertainment Skills Council, Assemblage Entertainment, and more. Additionally, AniMela will be available on Heftyverse, Hungama Digital’s metaverse platform from January 19th to 21st, 2024, ensuring its reach to the farthest corners of the country.
In the words of AVAF, AniMela is not just a festival; it’s a movement to position India as a creative powerhouse in the global AVGC-XR landscape, propelling the nation into the forefront of content creation and storytelling.
