Winners of the creative challenges in animation, VFX, virtual production, and AR/VR to be revealed at the inaugural WAVES Summit running May 1-4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
Dancing Atoms, a leading animation studio committed to fostering global creative talent, has just announced the selected finalists in its groundbreaking Animation & Filmmaking Competition, run in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
This year marks a significant milestone as all 42 selected film projects will be showcased in a comprehensive creative catalogue. This unique new initiative aims to connect talented creators with like-minded individuals, producers, and distributors, fostering global collaborations that bring the diverse and geographically dispersed participants together.
The creative catalogue features a wide range of innovative projects: 12 feature films; 18 short films; 9 TV series / limited series; and 3 AR/VR experiences. The complete list of artists and projects is listed below.
A large number of the competition finalists will attend the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) Summit that begins tomorrow, May 1, running through May 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The WAVES Animation & Filmmaking Competition, one of 31 challenges that have taken place over the past months within the Indian government’s overall WAVES Competition, will culminate with winner announcements at the Summit,
The WAVES Summit showcases the Indian government’s expanding support for Media & Entertainment production. Global revenue generated by these dynamic verticals underscores the immense potential within the animation industry. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting notes that in 2024, the global animation market witnessed substantial growth, with:
- Short Films: Contributing an estimated $20 billion in revenue through various platforms including online streaming, festivals, and educational content is projected to reach $70 billion USD by 2032.
- Feature Films: Representing the largest segment, generating approximately $30 billion USD to $32.3 billion USD at the global box office and through ancillary markets.
- TV Series: Experiencing a boom driven by streaming services, accounting for around $512 billion USD in production and licensing revenue.
- AR/VR Experiences: While a burgeoning sector, the immersive entertainment market, including AR/VR animation, reached an estimated USD 22.12 billion and USD 79.36 billion, with significant growth projections.
It further notes:
- Animation is vast and encompasses: Traditional Animation (Cel Animation), 2D Animation (Vector-Based & Digital), 3D Animation (CGI - Computer-Generated Imagery), Stop Motion Animation (including Claymation, Cutout, Model, Object, Pixelation), Motion Graphics, Motion Capture, Rotoscope, Whiteboard Animation, Typography Animation (Kinetic Typography), Frame-by-Frame Animation, Live-Action Blending, Mechanical Animation, Pinscreen Animation, Paint-on-Glass Animation, Sand Animation, Eraser Animation, Flip Book Animation, Augmented Reality (AR) Animation, Retro Animation, Isometric Animation, Screencast Animation, Minimalist Animation, 360 Animation.
- Animation's versatility extends across numerous industries, enhancing communication and engagement. From entertainment (film, games, online content) and marketing (explainer videos, ads) to education (instructional content) and science/technology (visualization, medical animation), its impact is widespread. Animation also plays a crucial role in training simulations, software design (UI animation), and diverse sectors like healthcare, architecture, and corporate communications, effectively conveying information and creating compelling visual experiences.
- AR/VR technologies are transforming sectors including gaming, healthcare, retail, education, and manufacturing, fueled by demand for immersive experiences and substantial investment. While North America holds a significant share, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated for the fastest growth.
The Animation & Filmmaking Competition finalists this year are as follows:
18 Short Films:
- Shreya Sachdev – Vani
- Shrikant S Menon – Odiyan
- Prasanth Kumar Nagadasi - Best Friends
- Shweta Subhash Marathe – Melting Shame
- Anika Rajesh – Achappam
- Martand Anand Ugalmugle – Chandomama
- Kiruthika Ramasubramanian - A Dream's Dream
- Harish Narayan Iyer – Karabi
- Triparna Maiti - The Chair
- Arundhati Sarkar - So close yet so far
- Gadam Jagadish Prasad Yadav - Symphony of Darkness
- Vetrivel - The Last Treasure
- Gargi Gawthe – Godva
- Shreeyaa Vinayak Pore - Kali (Bud)
- Harshita Das – Luna
- Sandhra Mary – Missing
- Richa Bhutani – Climatescape
- Hirak Jyoti Nath - Tales From The Tea House
12 Feature Films:
- Catharina Dian Wiraswati S - Fly!
- Shubham Tomar – Mahzun
- Srikanth Bhogi – Rudhra
- Anirban Majumder, Babar Aur Banno - A friendship saga
- Nandan Balakrishnan - The Dream Balloon
- Jacqueline C Ching - Lykke and the Trolls
- Rohit Sankhla - Dwarka The Lost City of Shree Krishna
- Bhagat Singh Saini – Red Woman
- Abhijeet Saxena - Arise, Awake
- Vamsi Bandaru - Ayurveda Chronicles - Search for the Lost Light
- Piyush Kumar - Wrong programming..the unleashed wars of ai.
- Khambor Batei, Kharjana, Lapalang - A Khasi Folklore Reimagined
9 TV Series/Limited Series:
- Jyothi Kalyan Sura - Jackie & Jilal
- Tuhin Chanda - Chupi: Silence behind laws
- Kishore Kumar Kedari - Age of the Deccan - The Legend of Malik Ambar
- Bhagyashree Satapathy – Pāśa
- Rishav Mohanty – Khatti
- Sukankan Roy - Sound of Joy,
- Atreyee Poddar, Sangeeta Poddar, Bimal Poddar – Moray Kaka
- Prasenjit Singha - The Quiet Chaos
- Segun Samson, Omotunde Akiode - Maapu
3 AR/VR Experiences:
- Sundar Mahalingam - Ashvamedha - The Unsealed Fate
- Anuj Kumar Choudhary – Liminalism
- Isha Chandna - Toxic Effect Of Substance Abuse On Human Body
Ms. Saraswathi Buyyala, CEO of Dancing Atoms and Creative Director of AFC – WAVES, expressed their enthusiasm for this initiative, stating, “We are incredibly impressed by the creativity and innovation showcased in this year's competition. For the first time, bringing all 42 projects together in one creative catalogue is a testament to the sheer talent we have discovered. Our vision extends beyond just recognition; we are keen on spotlighting this exceptional talent and are actively working towards creating a dedicated fund. This fund will support the further curation and development of these projects, ultimately leading to pitches to the esteemed members of the Waves Advisory Board.”
The Waves Advisory Board, comprised of industry veterans and influential figures in media and entertainment, will play a crucial role in evaluating the potential of these projects and guiding them towards production and distribution.
Buyyala goes on to note, This competition and the launch of the creative catalogue underscore Dancing Atoms’ commitment to spotlighting creativity and fostering meaningful connections between creators and the industry. By connecting creators and connecting countries, Dancing Atoms aims to be a catalyst for groundbreaking animated content that resonates globally.”
Source: Dancing Atoms
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
