In an exciting development for the global animation industry, 78 talented creators have advanced to the second round of the Animation Filmmakers Competition (AFC) at WAVES 2025. Organized by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) in collaboration with Dancing Atoms, the competition is a key initiative under the Create in India Challenge Season-1. This platform aims to nurture creativity and innovation in five key categories: Animation, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Virtual Production, and Visual Effects (VFX).
The selection process was overseen by an esteemed jury panel comprising global industry leaders who assessed the projects based on originality, narrative strength, entertainment value, market appeal, audience engagement, and technical execution. The panel included renowned figures such as Jan Nagel, an entertainment marketing professional; Dan Sarto, Chief Editor & Founder of Animation World Network; Gianmarco Serra, a director, producer, and writer; acclaimed writer Indu Ramchandani; and award-winning filmmaker Vaibhav Piwlatkar.
The 78 selected creators come from diverse backgrounds, including students, amateurs, professionals, and animation studios. What makes this year’s competition truly global is the participation of international entries from creative hubs like London, Bali, and Canada, reflecting a rich blend of storytelling styles and cultural influences. Notably, three projects received special mentions for their powerful narratives on health and family education.
Participants are now tasked with submitting their refined pitch decks by March 20, 2025. These will undergo another round of evaluation by a newly appointed jury panel. The top three projects will be awarded a cash prize of up to ₹5 lakh and will also earn the opportunity to present their work to global producers, OTT platforms, distributors, and investors in Mumbai. The much-anticipated announcement of the finalists is scheduled for April 10, 2025.
In addition to the competition, all creators are invited to showcase their projects on WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace designed to connect creative minds with buyers and industry professionals. This initiative aims to foster a vibrant B2B animation ecosystem, providing creators with a platform to network and collaborate on a global scale.
The Animation Filmmakers Competition is part of the larger World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), which will take place in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025. Hosted by the Government of India, this milestone event will serve as a global platform for industry professionals, creators, and investors to connect, collaborate, and innovate in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector. WAVES 2025 will focus on various industries, including broadcasting, print media, television, radio, films, animation, gaming, comics, sound and music, advertising, digital media, and emerging technologies like Generative AI, AR, VR, and Extended Reality (XR).
With India rapidly emerging as a global hub for content creation and technological innovation, WAVES 2025 promises to be a game-changing event for the creative community. The Animation Filmmakers Competition not only highlights India’s growing influence in the animation industry but also provides a platform for global creators to showcase their talent and make meaningful connections in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
