The Government of India is gearing up to host the first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) with an aim to strengthen India’s media and entertainment industry and expand its global influence. The Minister of Information and Broadcasting of India, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has launched 25 challenges under the ‘Create in India Challenge – Season 1’ on August 22, 2024, as WAVES aims to become a major platform for M&E industry icons worldwide, with a focus on entertainment economics and technology.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) will provide all finalists from all 25 events with the opportunity to come together and showcase their best on the main WAVES platform. The final selectees from various competitions will be given the opportunity to participate in some of the biggest relevant platforms in the world. For example, the animation film winner will complete their project by teaming up with some of the biggest production houses. Their final project will then be supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and taken to prestigious festivals such as the Annecy Animation Film Festival, etc. The anime competition winners will be supported to participate in the biggest anime event in Japan.
Waves Challenges aim to engage the entire creator community across the country over the next few months. These challenges are organized in the lead up to the main event and aim to engage the entire creator community across the country over the next few months.
Here are some of the 25 challenges.
Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster, hosts the Battle of the Bands and Symphony of India competitions.
The Battle of the Bands, in particular, provides a platform for bands to experiment with combining modern music and traditional folk music. The Symphony of India competition, on the other hand, is dedicated to celebrating the virtuosity of soloists and ensembles specialising in traditional classical Indian music. “By providing these talented artists with a platform to showcase their skills, Prasar Bharti aims to promote the appreciation and preservation of India’s classical music traditions. This is particularly important in today’s fast-paced world where traditional arts are often overlooked in favour of pop culture,” the ministry said.
The competition for animation filmmakers
The Animation Filmmakers Competition aims to revolutionize India’s animation industry by providing a platform for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their talent, connect with industry leaders and develop their skills. Organized by Dancing Atoms, a Los Angeles-based animation development studio known for its powerful storytelling, the competition offers participants access to industry experts, mentorship and networking opportunities that can advance their careers. From nu
The process includes online selection and masterclasses, followed by pitch deck submission and refinement. In-person mentoring and video pitch submissions narrow the field down to 15 finalists. Through this competition, participants have the opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience, network with key stakeholders, build their reputation, find collaboration and distribution opportunities, and secure funding to bring their ideas to life. Additionally, winners have the opportunity to work with prestigious studios, producers, distributors, and broadcasters like DD.
The Anime Challenge aims to provide a platform for creators to showcase their talent, gain recognition and connect with industry experts. These art forms are growing in popularity but still face challenges in terms of visibility and support. Organized by the Media and Entertainment Association of India, the competition has multiple stages, including state and national levels, and is held in 11 cities. Through various entry categories, including manga, webtoon and anime, the competition ensures that creators of all backgrounds and styles have an opportunity to showcase their work.
Through mentorship, visibility and networking opportunities, the Anime Challenge aims to encourage the growth of the anime industry and build a vibrant fan base. By nurturing and supporting emerging talent, this competition has the potential to increase the quality and diversity of Indian anime and manga and establish the country as a global player in these creative fields.
The Game Jam, organized by the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC), is a national competition aimed at fostering creativity and innovation in India’s emerging game development industry. The competition is divided into two rounds: an initial virtual game jam across six zones in India where participants compete for 48 hours, followed by a physical game jam for the top 10 finalists from each zone. The top winners will earn a place in STPI’s IMAGE COE cohort, providing them with further opportunities for growth and development. For game developers, this competition provides invaluable exposure, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to advance their careers through high-profile platforms and industry contacts.
The challenge of AI art installation
The Internet and Mobile Association of India’s AI Art Installation Challenge is a competition that aims to revolutionize the intersection of art and technology. By inviting artists, designers and AI enthusiasts to create immersive and interactive installations using AI, the competition encourages experimentation, innovation and exploration of new artistic frontiers.
Beyond its artistic significance, the competition serves as a platform to showcase the innovative applications of AI in art and to raise awareness and interest among potential investors, partners and consumers.
Adspend Optimizer Contest
WAVES Hackathon: Advertising Agencies Association of India’s Adspend Optimizer competition aims to improve ROI, increase efficiency, encourage data-driven decision making, foster innovation and improve customer experience. In today’s competitive digital landscape, advertisers are challenged to allocate their ad spend effectively to maximize ROI. Data overload, channel complexity, dynamic market conditions and attribution issues make decision making difficult. Addressing these challenges is critical for advertisers and the industry. Inefficient ad spend allocation can lead to wasted resources, weakened brand reputation and missed opportunities. By participating, teams can contribute to a more efficient, effective and consumer-centric digital advertising ecosystem.
