The fifth edition of Animation and More (AM) Summit served as a platform for a significant announcement – the launch of Maharashtra’s AVGCE-XR association. Titled MIDCCA – the Maharashtra Immersive Digital Content Creators Association – the association is dedicated to the animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, education, and extended reality industries in the state.
To officially launch the association, Government of Maharashtra’s development commissioner (Industries) & chairman (MAITRI) Deependra Singh Kushwah, IAS graced AM Summit 2024. He was joined on the stage by FICCI AVGC-XR Forum chairman and Punnaryug Artvision founder Ashish Kulkarni, and AnimationXpress founder, chairman and editor-in-chief Anil NM Wanvari.
Maharashtra’s economy has surpassed US$500 billion, and the goal is to reach US$1 trillion by 2030, highlighted Kushwah at the summit. He added how the state has been receiving the highest FDI in the country since the past two years. “We know that Mumbai [the capital of Maharashtra] has the capability, opportunities and potential to become the global hub for the AVGC industry. The AVGC industry is an important part of Maharashtra’s IT & ITeS Policy and we are committed to supporting this sector. Hence, within the next two to three months, we shall be bringing a dedicated AVGC policy in the state.”
Apart from that, Kushawah revealed that the state government plans to set up an apex institute (which will be known as M Hub), six COEs (Centre of Excellence), and multiple such infrastructure facilities and programs for the development of the AVGCE-XR sector in the state.
Kulkarni shared that with the support of Government of India, an AVGC Mission will soon be launched with the focus of working closely with the states, aiming at establishing a centre-state collaboration. He urged the studios and companies in Maharashtra to actively participate in MIDCCA.
Pune-based philmCGI’s co-founder and managing director Anand Bhanushali, who helped register the name of the association under Section 8 company, took to the stage to share the objective of forming MIDCCA.
The key objectives of MIDCCA include:
- Promote education, innovation and social impact in AVGCE-XR industry with knowledge exchange and workshops.
- Create programs and partnerships to support industry growth and talent development.
- Promote welfare of members by fostering solidarity and co-operation.
- Collaborate with public, private and government bodies to advocate for supportive policies.
- Promote Maharashtra as a global hub for AVGCE-XR.
From intense meetings in the cities of Mumbai and Pune, to the final gathering at NY VFXWaala, the collective vision and dedication of various industry veterans and professionals have been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life.
As the industry applauded the launch of MIDCCA at AM Summit 2024, the stakeholders promised to make MIDCCA a beacon of excellence and a driving force for growth and collaboration in the AVGC sector.
AM Summit is the annual animation conference which brings studios, professionals and students under one roof in the biggest celebration of the art of animation. The 2024 edition of the event took place on 3 and 4 September at Nesco in Mumbai.