High powered world specialists will function on the inaugural version of AniMela, India’s first-ever worldwide pageant for animation, VFX, XR, gaming and comics (AVGC-XR).

The four-day occasion is by India’s Aniverse and Visual Arts Foundation (AVAF), which have partnered with the federal government of India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and France’s Annecy International Animation Festival. As revealed by Variety, the pageant will happen Jan. 18-21, 2024, in Mumbai. The venue is confirmed because the National Film Development Corporation’s Films Division campus in downtown Mumbai.

AniMela’s data part will function Luce Grosjean (CEO- Miyu Distribution, France), Rajiv Chilaka (creator of “Chhota Bheem”), Oscar-nominated Australian animator Lachlan Pendragon (“An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It”), Isabel Herguera (director of Spanish-German animation movie “Sultana’s Dream”) Mickael Marin (director of Annecy Animation Festival), Veronique Encrenaz (head of Annecy’s market – MIFA) and award-winning Indian animator Upamanyu Bhattacharyya.

As a part of the occasion, the International MIFA Campus (IMC) is coming to India. AVAF has obtained greater than 60 work-in-progress initiatives from creators for analysis, of which 5 chosen animation initiatives will take part in a four-day workshop carried out by trade specialists from the Annecy Animation Festival from Jan. 16-19. Advisors embody animation filmmaker Reza Riahi (Oscar winner “Breadwinner”), France-based screenwriter Johanna Goldschmidt (“Les héritières”) and animation producer Delphine Nicolini (“Uncle Thomas”). The 5 chosen initiatives will even be introduced to worldwide consumers, producers and distributors on the India pitch session’ at Annecy – MIFA in June 2024.

Participants additionally embody the School of Visual Arts (New York), Griffith Institute (Australia), Rubika Institute (France) and India’s Whistling Woods International movie faculty and the Frameboxx coaching institute.

The AniMela movie pageant will embody worldwide options, shorts, fiction and non-fiction movies. The occasion’s experiential zone can have video video games and XR/AI showcases and the comedian part, curated by Indie Comix Fest, will function chosen indie comics, graphic novels and artwork exhibitions.

AVAF is a not-for-profit group based by Kireet Khurana, Archana Trasy, Anne Doshi, Neha Jain and Tehzeeb Khurana to advertise animation and different visible arts in India.

Khurana, pageant director of AniMela, stated, “India is making content at par with international standards, but lacks a narrative as a creator of world class content. With AniMela, we intend to align with our government’s thrust of create-in-India and build a platform of international pedigree, with the goal of exhibiting excellent films, games and other forms of visual arts created by Indian independent talent and studios to a larger audience and to promote them internationally. At the same time, the festival provides for a holistic artistic and technological reflection in the AVGC space by bringing global industry veterans and emerging Indian talents under one roof.”

Jain, govt director at AniMela, stated: “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.”

Doshi, inventive director at AniMela, stated: “In the AVGC industry, the creators are the stars and the artists are given their due. AniMela will reflect this by highlighting their talent and supporting them in their journeys. 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.”