The recently concluded CII Summit FX 2024 was a groundbreaking event themed “The Nexus of Creativity and Technology,” bringing together industry leaders, innovators and creators to explore the intersection of artistry and technological advancements in the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Games and Comics) sector. The two-day event, held from August 21 to 22, featured a series of engaging panel discussions and sessions, with top leaders from across the Technicolor group taking to the stage to share their expertise, discuss emerging trends and chart the future of the creative industries.
Technicolor Group's participation in the summit highlighted the company's commitment to driving innovation at the intersection of creativity and technology. The discussions were not only insightful, but also offered groundbreaking insights into the future of the AVGC industry. From exploring the transformative potential of AI and real-time technology to discussing strategies for developing talent in the fields of technology and art, the summit offered a comprehensive view of the industry's trajectory.
First CII AVGC report held and released
The event kicked off with an opening session led by Mr. Biren Ghose, Managing Director, Technicolor Group Asia Pacific. Mr. Ghose was joined by Hon. Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skills and Entrepreneurship, and Hon. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Preluding the summit, the session offered key insights into the AVGC industry and where it will evolve in the future. The session also launched the CII AVGCI report, developed in association with Grant Thornton, which provided a detailed analysis of the current state of the industry and future prospects. A key highlight of the report revealed that the AVGC-XR sector (animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and augmented reality) currently accounts for around 20% of the Indian media and entertainment (M&E) industry, a testament to AVGC-XR's significant contribution to India's creative economy.
Global impact of Indian AVGC products
Mr. RK Chand, Executive Director, The Mill, led the discussion on “Global Impact of Indian AVGC Products”. The session explored the incredible success stories of Indian AVGC products that have captured the attention of audiences across the world. The discussion focused on the innovative strategies and creative approaches that have fuelled the global success of Indian AVGC products and provided in-depth insights into how Indian products are making their presence felt in the global market. Panelists shared their insights on the trends driving the global appeal of Indian AVGC and the promising future of Indian AVGC in the global entertainment industry.
AI and new technologies shaping industry trends
In this session on the transformative power of AI and emerging technologies, panelist Shajy Thomas, Regional Head of Technology and Infrastructure, Technicolor Group, discussed how AI, machine learning, workflow automation, and real-time engines are transforming creative and production workflows, powering everything from character animation to neural rendering. The discussion highlighted how the integration of these innovations not only drives efficiencies, but also sets new standards for creative excellence.
National Center of Excellence (NCOE) – Next Steps
The session was moderated by Mr. Biren Ghose, Managing Director, Technicolor Group Asia Pacific, along with Ms. Neerja Shekhar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and focused on the progress of the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) initiative, a key milestone towards becoming a national leader in the AVGC space.
The discussion focused on the collaborative efforts required between industry and government to transform the NCOE into a vibrant public-private partnership that will not only elevate India's AVGC sector but also position it as a global leader. Biren and Neerja explored the specific types of industry support that are essential, such as investing in cutting-edge technologies, developing talent through specialized training programs, and establishing a sustainable ecosystem for innovation. They also discussed how government policies and incentives can be aligned with industry needs to ensure the long-term success of this groundbreaking initiative.
Cultivating technical and artistic talent
Sandeep Sharma, Head of Academy Asia Pacific, Technicolor Group, led a session on talent development in the rapidly evolving AVGC environment. The discussion highlighted the importance of specialized education programs, interdisciplinary learning, and strong industry collaboration in developing the next generation of creative and technical talent. Sandeep and the panel explored how these elements work together to bridge the gap between technical proficiency and artistic innovation. The session provided valuable insights on effective strategies to develop talent that not only meets current industry demands but also anticipates future trends, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to develop the next generation of skilled professionals.
India needs to embrace a more virtualised world and provide access to wider range of high-end hubs for large-scale hi-tech production. The AVGC policy and national and state centres of excellence should become a network of pathways for greater digital transformation.
Viren Ghose, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Technicolor Group
Introducing India to the world
During the session, Mr. Biren interacted with Vrinder Desai, Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The discussion explored strategies to strengthen India's position on the global stage, given India's growing influence in the creative and entertainment sector. It was a fascinating discussion which highlighted potential avenues for expanding India's influence and identified the collaborative efforts required to propel the country into a leading role in the global creative industries.
Immersive Media – Contemporary Museums, Experience Centers, and Beyond
Moderated by RK Chand, Executive Director of The Mill, the panel explored how immersive media is transforming the cultural experience. During the session, industry leaders shared their perspectives on the role that interactive exhibits, virtual reality and other technologies will play in reimagining modern museums and experience centers. The session provided a comprehensive look at these innovations, showing how they are increasing visitor engagement and changing the way people experience and interact with arts and culture.
VFX: Bigger, Bolder and Beyond the Camera
The session was also moderated by Chand RK and featured industry experts including Jateen Thakkar, VFX Supervisor, MPC India. The discussion delved into the skyrocketing demand for top-notch content across various media platforms and how advancements in AI and real-time rendering technologies are fuelling this growth. The conversation explored how these innovations are not only accelerating production timelines but also pushing the boundaries of creativity, enabling artists to achieve unprecedented levels of detail and realism in their work. A key highlight of the session was Jateen's presentation on the VFX of Amazon Prime original crime series Poacher, directed by Richie Mehta. He provided an in-depth look into the innovative techniques and technologies used by MPC India and showed how advanced tools were integrated to create the complex visual effects for the project.
A world of real-time and emerging technologies
In the final session of the summit, Chand RK led a discussion on the revolutionary impact of real-time and emerging technologies on content creation. The session focused on advancements in virtual production and real-time rendering, highlighting their role in providing instant creative feedback and flexibility. It was also discussed how real-time and emerging technologies are increasing production efficiency, unlocking new possibilities in storytelling and visual effects, and setting new standards in the industry.
The summit provided a platform for collaboration, innovation and strategic thinking to advance the AVGC industry in India by bridging the gap between creativity and technology. The insights shared and connections made over the two days will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of the sector, driving growth and establishing India as a global leader in the creative industries.
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