The business of Animation is at an interesting juncture globally. Players and IP creators from the developed markets are seeking out animation destinations that offer high quality, cost effective, value added services and collaboration. At the same time, studios and animation players from Asia and Eastern Europe are revving up their capabilities and zooming up the value chain in order to be best suited to vie for the pie.
In such a scenario, India’s Animation Studios are rising meteorically, making India a front runner in the race for the title of ‘Destination Animation’
The India story is being narrated and heard at all the right places across the world. One such important destination being MIPCOM Junior, the kids’ content focused market, which is held a couple of days prior to MIPCOM. This year MIPCOM Junior will feature a special panel discussion on Indian animation.
Organized by Reed Midem, the session entitled ‘Indian Animation: The Evolving Landscape’ is to take place on 7 October, 11.30am at the Salon Californie in The Ritz Carlton at Cannes. The session aims at providing International studios that are looking to work with India, with a clear unbiased picture of the Indian Animation industry and how it is evolving.
Speakers include PMI Greengold Animation CEO Rajiv Chilakalapudi, Anirights Infomedia CEO Ashish Kulkarni and Maya Entertainment Limited VP – Global Business Development Paul Siegel. Supported by FICCI, the session will be moderated by Animation Xpress.com Editor Anand Gurnani.
Speaking to Animation Xpress.com, a beaming Anil Wanvari, the Indian representative for Reed Midem Exhibitions shared, “The Indian animation industry is rapidly evolving and presenting itself as an attractive destination for global animation companies. Some companies are waiting on the sidelines; while others have already inked co-production, or outsourcing deals with Indian studios. We hope that this conference will help some of the fence sitters to understand the Indian animation industry better and possibly take the leap of faith”
One of the features of this session is that it will offer a comprehensive picture, with various viewpoints and perspectives on Indian animation to be offered.
One of the most seasoned and active personalities in Indian animation, Ashish Kulkarni, who besides his studio Anirights, will also be representing FICCI Animation and Gaming Forum is going to speak on a broad range of topics regarding Indian animation from things like Animation Education to IP creation. Within that gamut, his main focus however is going to be on emphasizing that the India story is not about cost alternatives but about value added creative collaboration.
“Over the past eight years, the quality of Indian animation has improved by leaps and bounds. While once the challenges were about grappling with the basics and convincing International studios about the seriousness of our intent, today we have evolved so much that the focus now is on optimizing our production pipelines, improving the quality of expression and acting in the animation we do, in doing pre production, in cracking the local market and so on” said Kulkarni.
“The reality that I wish to convey to International studios is that, look at India as a creative partner in Animation with whom you can communicate, collaborate and innovate” he added.
PMI Greengold has been one of the first movers in Indian animation when it comes to creating Indian IP. More than three of its shows have been acquired by TV Networks, including Cartoon Network with which the studio has signed a four feature deal. The studio has had experience in creating original content, pitching and signing with broadcasters, as well as home video and in that sense Green Gold has traveled the narrow bylanes of the original Indian animation bazaar.
CEO Rajiv Chilakalapudi will share his experience of the Indian market, as well as offer perspectives on co productions.
“Being one of the leading players in the Indian animation industry, we have always believed in creation of original IP content of universal acceptability. Towards this goal, we have produced (and are producing) IP content, which can travel beyond the Indian market. It is about time that the global animation players look at India as not only an outsourcing hub but also as a creator of original animation content for international markets. Through this event, we would like to create opportunities of co-production of original Indian animation content with global animation players. We strongly believe that Indian animation industry has huge growth potential and through sessions like these, we hope to take things towards the next level” stated Rajiv.
With more than 25 years of hands on experience in multiple sectors of the entertainment industry, Maya Entertainment Limited’s VP Global Business Development Paul Siegel will share his perspective of Indian animation from an American point of view.
His presentation shall address the issues facing relationships between international and Indian animation studios, and at the same time will be helpful and insightful for those in the audience who are looking to invest in and/or establish a joint legal entity with an Indian Animation studio.
“The open panel format will give attendees an opportunity to candidly voice their concerns without the bias that would normally occur in conversations between a specific buyer and seller. This type of honest sharing amongst the group is sure to identify both the weaknesses and strengths of the current processes and lead to action plans that will benefit all’ shared Paul.
Within the past three years, Animation Xpress.com has emerged as the most credible and widely referred news, information and community source for Indian Animation, with in-depth insights and comprehensive coverage.
Editor Anand Gurnani who is moderating the Indian animation session at MIPCOM Junior shared, “There is going to be a large attendance of International delegates who are curious about and intend to work with India and it is a great responsibility to be the moderator. Coming from a research and journalistic background where I breathe eat and live animation, my task is to ask questions that I know are on the audience’s minds; to understand and elucidate speakers viewpoints to the audience, and at times to offer my own perspectives on Indian animation”
“And I am seriously convinced that Indian animation has an immensely bright future. When it comes to international collaborations, I believe that Indian animation players need to fine tune themselves to the subtler frequencies of the International market. At the same time, the International players need to come, spend time in India, witness the dynamism of our artists and studios. That will inspire and convince them about the potential of India and models of knowledge sharing, process sharing, risk sharing and reward sharing shall evolve” concluded Anand.
So all those curious about and interested in working with India, Block your dates and share the Indian fever at MIPCOM Junior this year!