An illustrious lineup of global experts is set to take center stage at the inaugural AniMela, marking India’s groundbreaking international festival dedicated to animation, VFX, XR, gaming, and comics, collectively known as AVGC-XR. Organized by India’s Aniverse and Visual Arts Foundation (AVAF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India and France’s prestigious Annecy International Animation Festival, the four-day extravaganza is scheduled to unfold from January 18 to 21, 2024, in Mumbai. The confirmed venue is the Films Division campus of the National Film Development Corporation in downtown Mumbai.
AniMela’s knowledge segment boasts a stellar lineup, featuring luminaries such as Luce Grosjean (CEO of Miyu Distribution, France), Rajiv Chilaka (the mind behind “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 the Spanish-German animation film “Sultana’s Dream”), Mickael Marin (director of Annecy Animation Festival), Veronique Encrenaz (head of Annecy’s market – MIFA), and the award-winning Indian animator Upamanyu Bhattacharyya.
An integral part of the event is the arrival of the International MIFA Campus (IMC) in India. AVAF has received over 60 work-in-progress projects for evaluation, from which five selected animation projects will participate in a four-day workshop led by industry experts from the Annecy Animation Festival from January 16 to 19. Notable advisors include animation filmmaker Reza Riahi (Oscar winner for “Breadwinner”), France-based screenwriter Johanna Goldschmidt (“Les héritières”), and animation producer Delphine Nicolini (“Uncle Thomas”). These chosen projects will also be showcased to international buyers, producers, and distributors at the India pitch session at Annecy – MIFA in June 2024.
Participating institutions encompass the School of Visual Arts (New York), Griffith Institute (Australia), Rubika Institute (France), and India’s Whistling Woods International film school and the Frameboxx training institute.
The AniMela film festival promises a diverse selection of international features, shorts, fiction, and non-fiction films. The experiential zone will feature video games and XR/AI showcases, while the comic section, curated by Indie Comix Fest, will showcase selected indie comics, graphic novels, and art exhibitions.
AVAF, a not-for-profit organization founded by Kireet Khurana, Archana Trasy, Anne Doshi, Neha Jain, and Tehzeeb Khurana, is dedicated to promoting animation and visual arts in India.
Khurana, the festival director of AniMela, emphasized, “India produces 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 ‘create-in-India’ thrust and build a platform of international pedigree.”
Jain, executive director at AniMela, added, “Animation is often perceived as children’s content in India, with limited understanding of adult animation and the vast possibilities within VFX, gaming, and XR. AniMela aims to break away from these constraints, creating awareness and interest in the industry.”
Doshi, artistic director at AniMela, highlighted, “In the AVGC industry, creators are the stars, and artists deserve recognition. AniMela will celebrate their talent, support their journeys, and empower Indian talents for cross-cultural exchange, fostering growth in the global AVGC landscape.”
