By Shalini S Sharma
NEW DELHI: In the works for the past at least five years, the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) created the desired impact and more, on India’s creative economy. India has been organising an international film festival (IFFI) for the past 73 years. But there was no platform which showcased the richness of Indian content beyond films. WAVES provided just that.
Held at the astoundingly beautiful Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) or Jio World Centre, the venue itself lent to the success of the initiative with its exquisite blending of art, architecture, design, culture, tradition and aesthetics. The thoughtfully designed spaces made it possible to run parallel sessions on several thought-provoking tracks as well as have multiple activities, shows and an engaging exhibition.
The grandeur of the Jasmine Hall where the imposing Inaugural Session was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 1, was matched by the elegance of the Grand Theatre where the cultural evening was held in the evening.
Two of the conference sessions on animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC), were organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). One was on intellectual property (IP) transcending borders, which saw speakers from animation industry from the US, Japan and South Africa. They deliberated on how an idea germinates and grows into a full-length film or comic or a web show. The question that the speakers addressed was how the deeply personal experience and journey of an artist transcends borders to become a work of art which is appreciated throughout the world.
The second session explored the gap between creation and commissioning of content. Any art form needs patronage for sustenance. Animation as a form of entertainment has not been able to grow much in India despite the fact that global studios, specially those in Hollywood, get the animation and VFX work on their own blockbuster films, such as Avataar, Dune or The Lion King, done in India. The country has skilled manpower for this industry but what holds back the creation of Indian IP is the absence of financial support for creators. This session saw participation of government officials from India, the US and Japan, alongside industry leaders who deliberated on creating bridges between creators and enablers.
The length and the breadth of what the first edition of WAVES achieved is truly astounding. For years, India’s creative industry people, who participate in international trade shows such as Mipcom in Cannes, France; Annecy Animation Festival, France; NAB Show, USA and Siggraph USA, have been complaining that India does not provide any opportunity to its own talent to showcase itself. To strike new deals and even to bag outsourcing contracts, animation and visual effects studios from India had to go abroad in search of business. But one WAVE and all that is thing of the past.
From the presence of top stars of industry, stalwarts of screens, big and small, to policy makers, ministers, bureaucrats, diplomats, media, artists, writers, directors, producers, every body and more was present at the four-day festival.
The Summit proved that when India decides to do something, specially something which is backed by the vision of the Prime Minister, then it can surpass all to set new standards of excellence.
(The writer is Assistant Secretary General at PHDCCI)
