The recently concluded CII Summit FX 2024, themed “Connecting Creativity with Technology,” was a landmark event that brought together industry leaders, innovators, and creatives to explore the intersection of artistry and technological advancement within the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sectors. The two-day event, held from August 21-22, featured a series of engaging panel discussions and sessions, where Technicolor Group’s top leaders took the stage to share their expertise, discuss emerging trends, and chart the future of the creative industries.
Technicolor Group’s involvement in the summit underscored its commitment to driving innovation at the intersection of creativity and technology. The discussions were not only insightful but also offered ground-breaking insights into the future of the AVGC industry. From exploring the transformative potential of AI and real-time technologies to discussing strategies for growing talent in tech and artistry, the summit provided a comprehensive view of the industry’s trajectory.
Inaugural Session & Release of CII AVGC Report
The event kicked off with the inaugural session led by Biren Ghose, Managing Director – Asia Pacific, Technicolor Group, who was joined by Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skills and Entrepreneurship, and Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. As a prelude to the summit, this session presented critical insights into the AVGC industry as well as possible directions for its development in the future. This session featured the presentation of the CII AVGCI Report, developed with Grant Thornton, which provided an in-depth analysis of the current state and future prospects of the industry. A key highlight from the report revealed that the AVGC-XR sector (animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality) currently accounts for about 20% of India’s media and entertainment (M&E) industry, which is a testament to the significant contribution that AVGC-XR has to the country’s creative economy.
Global Impact of Indian AVGC Products
RK Chand, Executive Director of The Mill, led a discussion on the “Global Impact of Indian AVGC Products.” The session explored the remarkable success stories of Indian AVGC products that are capturing the attention of global audiences. The discussion highlighted the innovative strategies and creative approaches that have fuelled the success of Indian AVGC products worldwide, providing a detailed insight into how Indian products are making their mark in the global market. The panellists shared insight into the trends driving Indian AVGC’s global appeal as well as the promising future ahead for Indian AVGC within the global entertainment industry.
AI and New Technologies Shaping Industry Trends
In this session on the transformative power of AI and emerging technologies, Shajy Thomas, Regional Head of Technology and Infrastructure, Technicolor Group, participated as a panellist, discussing how AI, machine learning, workflow automation, and real-time engines are transforming creative and production workflows, enhancing everything from character animation to neural rendering. This discussion highlighted how the integration of these innovations not only drives efficiency, but also sets new standards for creative excellence.
National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) – Next Steps
This session, moderated by Biren Ghose, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Technicolor Group, with Neerja Shekhar, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting focused on the progress of the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) initiative, a key milestone in the nation’s transition to becoming a global leader in the field of AVGC.
The discussion focused on the collaborative efforts needed between industry and government to transform the NCOE into a thriving public-private partnership that not only elevated India’s AVGC sector but also positioned it as a global leader. Both Biren and Neerja explored the specific types of industry support that were essential, including investments in cutting-edge technology, fostering talent through specialized training programs, and establishing a sustainable ecosystem for innovation. It also addressed how government policies and incentives could align with industry needs to ensure the long-term success of this landmark initiative.
Growing the Talent for Tech and Artistry
Sandeep Sharma, Head of Academies, Asia-Pacific, Technicolor Group, led a session on nurturing talent within the rapidly evolving AVGC landscape. The discussion emphasized the importance of specialized educational programs, interdisciplinary learning, and strong industry collaborations 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. This session provided valuable insights into effective strategies for fostering talent that not only meets the current industry demands but also anticipates future trends, leaving with a comprehensive understanding of how to develop the next generation of skilled professionals.
India needs to embrace the more virtualised world and provide access to a greater degree of multilocation high-end hubs for large-scale high-tech production. The AVGC policy and the National and State centres of excellence should be a network of pathways that will see greater digital transformation.
Biren Ghose, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Technicolor Group
Showcasing India to the World
In this session, Biren engaged in a dialogue with Vrunda Desai, Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. In this discussion, strategies were explored to strengthen the country’s position on the global stage as a result of the country’s increasing influence in the creative and entertainment sectors. It was an engaging discussion that shed light on the potential avenues for expanding India’s influence, identifying the collaborative efforts required to propel the nation into a leading role in global creative industries.
Immersive Media – Modern Museums, Experience Centers, and Beyond
RK Chand, Executive Director, The Mill, moderated this panel discussion, which explored how immersive media is transforming cultural experiences. In this session, industry leaders shared their perspectives on the role of interactive exhibits, virtual reality, and other technologies in reshaping the modern museum and experience center. A comprehensive look at these innovations was provided during the session to demonstrate how they are both enhancing visitor engagement as well as transforming the way in which people experience and interact with art and culture.
VFX: Bigger, Bolder, and Beyond the Camera
This session, also moderated by Chand R K, featured industry experts, including Jateen Thakkar, VFX Supervisor at MPC India. The discussion delved into the surging demand for top-tier content across diverse 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 for the Amazon Prime original crime series Poacher, directed by Richie Mehta. He offered an in-depth look at the innovative techniques and technologies used by MPC India, showcasing how advanced tools were integrated to create complex visual effects for the project.
World of Real-time and Emerging Technologies
In the final session of the summit, Chand R K led a discussion on the revolutionary impact of real-time and emerging technologies on content creation. The session highlighted advancements in virtual production and real-time rendering, emphasizing their role in providing immediate creative feedback and flexibility. The discussion also touched on the way in which real-time and emerging technology are enhancing production efficiency and unlocking new possibilities for storytelling and visual effects, setting a new standard for the industry.
By bridging the gap between creativity and technology, the summit provided a platform for collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking that will propel the AVGC industry forward in India. The insights shared and connections made during these two days will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the sector, fostering growth, and establishing India as a global leader in the creative industries.
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