Empowering India’s Creative Future: Insights from the 5th Global AVGC and Immersive Media Summit 2024

“CONNECTING CREATIVITY WITH TECHNOLOGY”

Hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, the 5th edition of Summit FX, a Global AVGC and Immersive Media Summit, was a vibrant confluence of creativity, technology, and global ambition. Themed as “Connecting Creativity with Technology” this summit was partnered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India with Karnataka as the “State Partner”.  With over 300 stakeholders, 50 speakers, and 12 dynamic sessions, the event brought together visionaries, industry leaders, and policymakers to shape the future of India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector. The summit set the stage for groundbreaking discussions on “hub and spoke” model for regional AVGC development, the advancement of the National Centre of Excellence, global impact of successful Indian AVGC products, influence of AI and emerging technologies, strategies for growing technical and creative talent, successful co-productions, building sustainable gaming communities, innovations in VFX and the promotion of India’s AVGC achievements internationally.

A New Vision for India’s AVGC Sector

At the heart of the summit was a bold vision: to transform India’s AVGC sector to become a creative powerhouse, delivering captivating experiences through cutting-edge technologies along with strengthening its position to create globally recognized Intellectual Properties—characters, stories, and franchises that resonate worldwide.

While continuing to excel in service exports, there is a renewed focus on nurturing Indian-created content that can compete internationally. This vision is supported by the government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment through policy frameworks and financial support, which aims to position India as a global leader in the AVGC space.

A key highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the knowledge report, “FX & Beyond: Shaping India’s AVGC Landscape[1],” developed in collaboration with Grant Thornton Bharat. The report provided a comprehensive analysis of the sector’s current state, its challenges, and opportunities. With the global AVGC market valued at USD 180 billion and India’s share expected to grow significantly, the report emphasized the need for India to develop its own IPs and capitalize on its storytelling heritage. It also identified skill shortages and high technology costs as critical challenges, while recommending policy interventions and strategic collaborations to unlock the sector’s full potential.

Building a Robust AVGC Ecosystem: From Policy to Practice

To achieve this vision, the summit emphasized the need for a strong ecosystem that integrates government support, industry collaboration, and technological innovation. The National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) emerged as a cornerstone of this ecosystem. It is envisioned as a hub for advanced education, research and development in related technologies, global partnerships, innovative content development, etc to bridge the skill-gap and foster the growth and development of the sector.

Regional growth was another critical focus, with discussions on the “hub and spoke” model to ensure a balanced distribution of growth opportunities across India. States like Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were highlighted for their proactive policies and investments in AVGC, setting examples of how regional ecosystems can drive national growth. Collaborative efforts between central and state governments are key to building a comprehensive ecosystem that supports innovation, infrastructure and skill development, and market access.

Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Global Competitiveness

Innovation was a recurring theme throughout the summit, with particular attention given to how emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR) are reshaping the AVGC landscape. AI is playing a transformative role in enhancing creative processes, from generating quick mock-ups to analysing scripts. Virtual production technologies, such as LED walls and immersive media tools, are revolutionizing the way content is created and consumed, offering new opportunities for Indian creators to compete globally.

However, the adoption of these technologies comes with its own set of challenges, including high costs and the need for specialized skills. The summit underscored the importance of public-private partnerships, skill development programs, and targeted investments to address these challenges. It also highlighted the growing need for virtual production infrastructure and AI tools that can streamline workflows and reduce production costs, making Indian studios more competitive on the global stage.

Talent Development: The Key to Unlocking Potential

The summit recognized that the AVGC sector’s growth hinges on the availability of skilled talent. With the industry projected to reach $25 billion by 2030, there is an urgent need to enhance local expertise and elevate India’s position in the global value chain. Initiatives such as the revamping of 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and integrating AVGC skills into the National Education Policy reflect the government’s commitment to building a robust talent pipeline. The focus is on developing skills that foster creative thinking and align with industry needs, ensuring that Indian talent is prepared to lead in the global AVGC landscape.

Moreover, the summit stressed the importance of regional policies that reflect each state’s unique strengths in AVGC, maximizing local potential and addressing specific skill gaps. Building awareness about AVGC career opportunities, particularly in underrepresented regions, is crucial for expanding the talent pool and fostering inclusive growth.

Expanding India’s Global Footprint

A major takeaway from the summit was the need for India to expand its presence in international markets and build a robust domestic market to mitigate global fluctuations. Indian content creators are encouraged to adopt a more offensive global strategy, focusing on developing content that resonates with international audiences. Success stories of Indian AVGC products making a global impact, such as animated series and gaming IPs, underscore the potential for Indian studios to reach wider audiences through innovative storytelling and cutting-edge technology.

Collaborations and co-productions with international partners are seen as vital pathways to achieving this global footprint. The summit highlighted opportunities in emerging markets like Latin America, Africa, and Korea, where India’s strengths in storytelling and digital content creation can be leveraged. Successful co-productions, such as the evolution of “Jungle Book” and “Purple Turtle,” demonstrate how Indian content can achieve international success through originality, cultural relevance, and strategic partnerships.

The Road Ahead: Building a Sustainable Future

The Summit concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders—government, industry, and academia—to work together in building a sustainable future for India’s AVGC sector. The focus is on creating an ecosystem that supports innovation, nurtures talent, and promotes India’s creative prowess on the global stage. By leveraging its rich cultural heritage, technological advancements, and strategic collaborations, India is poised to transform its AVGC industry into a global powerhouse.

The summit underscored that while challenges such as skill shortages, high technology costs, and infrastructure gaps remain, the opportunities for growth and global impact are immense. As India continues to develop its unique content and innovative technologies, it stands ready to take its place as a leader in the global AVGC landscape, connecting creativity with technology in unprecedented ways.

[1] The report can be downloaded from here.