FICCI : Media and Entertainment Business, 29-30 October, Bangalore

FICCI is all set to conduct Med and Entertainment Business Conclave this year from 29-30 October at Bangalore. Technology perspective of Media and entertainment including film, TV, gaming, mobile and new media will be the spotlight of this MEBC edition.

Promising sessions on Indian Animation, VFX and gaming market will be witnessed in this 5th Edition of MEBC with panel discussions on Formulating & Implementing a viable Media & Entertainment policy for a State, Reshaping Mobile entertainment in the era of Digital Revolution, The Emerging Trends of Indian IP in Animation & its exploitation and The Emerging gaming Industry in southern India.

Kamal Hassan, Chairman, FICCI MEBC, says, “The focus would be on “effective proliferation of meaningful content in the backdrop of digital technologies and the array of new media”. Traditional platforms have been disrupted and new methods for the future need to be adopted in order to create and monetise content. For this, skill development for the industry needs special discussion and a road map.”

Panel discussion on Formulating & Implementing a viable Media & Entertainment policy for a State will focus on developing infrastructure, local skills, technology, and explore possibilities on how to develop the Media & entertainment eco system for a State.

VFX enthusiasts should join in to experience a session on how to create cost effective Visual Effects for Indian movies and also a detailed making session on VFX of Kamal Hassan Starrer Vishwaroopam.

Emerging Trends of Indian IP in Animation & its exploitation will shed light on’ what does it take to create a product that is internationally marketable and acceptable? And will be moderated by Dr. Ashish Kulkarni-CEO, Reliance Animation with panelists Krishna Desai – Turner International. Sharad Devrajan- Co Founder & CEO, Graphic India, Smita Maroo – Shemaroo Entertainment, Nishit Takia – Co Founder, Krayon Pictures and Rajiv Chilaka- Founder, Green Gold Animation

Speaking to AnimationXpress.com, Leena Jaisan, Senior Director & Head – Media & Entertainment, FICCI, says, “For the first time such an initiative encompassing all sectors of M&E is happening at Bangalore. Stalwarts from all the fields will be present and we are expecting record number of delegates this year too.”

The Indian gaming industry has evolved speedily in recent times and to bring out the current scenario of emerging gaming Industry in south India, a discussion on the same will be moderated by Rajesh Rao of Dhruva Interactive and panelists will be Anshuman Rudra- Studio Head, Tiny Mogul Games, Bharti Soft Bank, Jugul Thachery- Co Founder, Chaywoo Games, and Lalit Patel- Co Founder, Bash Games.

The International Animated Film Society, (ASIFA) call for entries,42nd Annual Annie Awards

On 3 September, The International Animated Film Society, (ASIFA) – Hollywood issued a call for submissions of entries, for the 42nd Annual Annie Awards. Today, ASIFA-Hollywood is the world’s first and foremost professional organisation, which promotes the Art of Animation.

The Annie Awards will be held on 31 January, 2015 at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles.

There are a total of 36 categories this year, which include Production, Achievement and Special Juried awards. A new category that is Best Character Animation in a Video Game has been added this year. In most of the categories, the participant will be allowed to submit his film, only if it has been released in the United States between 1 January, 2014 and 31 December, 2014. Exceptions have been made for animated Short Subjects, Student Films and Television Commercials even if they have not been released in the US.

This year, the Annies have added a Special Productions to the list of category projects that do not have to be a US production, as long as the submitted project has been released in 2014. The deadline to join ASIFA-Hollywood or to renew membership, to become a Sponsor, and to submit entries and materials is midnight Monday, 5 November, 2014.

DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon 2: crossed the $600,000,000 mark

DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon 2 continues to breathe fire into the global box office as it officially crossed the $600,000,000 mark on Labor Day.  A record-breaking opening in China coupled with phenomenal success in territories around the world have catapulted Dragon 2 to become the highest grossing animated film of the year and one of the top ten grossing films of the year in any genre.

On the heels of the success of their latest epic adventure, Hiccup and Toothless have plans to soar across the big screen once again with the announcement of the third chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon series shifting to a 9 June, 2017 release date.

From the same creative team as the first two films, writer/director Dean DeBlois and producer Bonnie Arnold, How to Train Your Dragon 3 will take forward the story where the sequel leaves off (sorry folks, no spoilers here).  Returning cast includes Jay Baruchel as Hiccup, America Ferrera as Astrid and Cate Blanchett as Valka.

ANIFEST INDIA: TVCA 2014 WINNERS

ANIFEST INDIA 2014 : AUG 20-21-22

Jai Hind College, Churchgate, Mumbai

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TVCA 2014 WINNERS

STUDENT FILMS
Winner: Magarwasi (Dir. Varun Nair)
Runner Up: Chasni – The Sugar Syrup (Dir. Abhishek Verma)

INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL FILMS
Winner: The Wires (Dir. Tatiana Moshkova & Marina Moshkova)
Runner Up: Shades of Grey (Dir. Alexandra Averyanova)

COMMISSIONED FILMS:
Winner: Guests at my Home (Dir. Oleg Fedchenko)
Runner Up: Take Poo to the Loo – Music Video (Dir. Suresh Eriyat)

Comic Con Bangalore, 12th Sept 2014