The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), which will be held in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, is set to showcase the creative brilliance of emerging talents from across India. Among the 42 finalists selected for the Animation Filmmaker Competition, two young and promising animators from Odisha—Bhagyashree Satpathy from Jajpur and Rishav Mohanty from Bhubaneswar—are all set to represent their state on a prestigious national platform.
Bhagyashree Satpathy, a 22-year-old filmmaker and animation artist from Dharmasala in Jajpur, is currently pursuing her studies at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. Drawing inspiration from Indian mythology and regional folklore, Bhagyashree’s works breathe new life into traditional stories by incorporating contemporary themes and bold visual aesthetics. Her finalist project, “Pasa,” is an ambitious concept series that intertwines mythology with psychological drama, tackling issues of manipulation, gender, and control. Bhagyashree has already gained recognition for her previous works, including “Happy Birthday Tara” and a documentary based on Maa Kalijai of Chilika Lake, Odisha.
Alongside her is Rishav Mohanty, another NID Ahmedabad student from Bhubaneswar, who has secured a spot in the finals with his animation documentary film titled “Khatti.” Rishav’s work exemplifies the power of animation to tell compelling, authentic stories, offering a fresh and engaging perspective on documentary filmmaking through the medium of animation.
WAVES 2025 will provide a significant opportunity for these talented individuals to pitch their projects to an esteemed panel of international judges and entertainment industry leaders. The competition also offers a cash prize of ₹5 lakh to the top three winners. This event serves as a crucial reminder of the growing economic potential of India’s animation and VFX industry, which generates significant employment opportunities, with a single animated film potentially providing jobs for 100 to 300 professionals.
In addition to celebrating India’s creative talent, WAVES 2025 aims to foster international collaborations and position India as a global hub for animation and entertainment. With their innovative storytelling and unique creative approaches, Bhagyashree Satpathy and Rishav Mohanty are not only poised to make a mark at the competition but are also helping put Odisha’s animation talent on the national map.
