WAVES offers a golden opportunity for Reel Makers and Professional Ad Filmmakers to shine as celebrites

Do you have a vision that speaks through the lens and a story that unfolds in every frame? If creativity runs through your veins the WAVES Awards of Excellence presents a golden opportunity

The much-anticipated Student Showreels & Professional Ad Film Competition is officially open for submissions! Submit your entry by February 15th.

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with ASIFA India, a UNESCO-recognized global NGO promoting animation, is hosting WAVES Awards of Excellence as part of the Create in India Challenge. These awards celebrate exceptional achievements in Animation, Visual Effects, and Extended Reality (XR), reinforcing India’s creative leadership on the global stage.

About the awards

There are two competition categories:  Student Showreels (No time restriction) and Professional Ad Films (limit 60 seconds). The submissions reflect themes of India’s socio-cultural landscape, and modern technology like:

• Mythology & Folklore in a Modern Context
• Sustainability & Climate Change Awareness
• Wellness & Yoga
• Artificial Intelligence & The Future of Storytelling
• India’s Untold Stories through Animation & VFX
• Gaming for Social Impact
• Virtual Production & XR Innovations
• Animating Rituals and mythological lores like Hanuman Chalisa using Stop Motion Animation
• Women’s Safety and Eve Teasing
• Advertising World & its Changing Dimensions

ASIFA India has witnessed an exceptional response with enthusiastic participation

ASIFA India has received an overwhelming response with 1238 submissions of finished works from various demographics: Students (75%), Professionals (25%), Women (35%) and Emerging Creators (50%). The participation of women and young creators underscores the challenge’s role in promoting diversity, inclusivity, and fresh perspectives in India’s AVGC sector.

Submissions have been promoted across various continents, resulting in over 60 global entries from 13 countries, such as Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Greece, Cyprus, Iran, Finland, the Philippines, Germany, Sri Lanka, Puerto Rico, China, and Mexico. Global Animated Film Association Asifa (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) is promoting the competition globally via its 40 Chapters in various countries.

ASIFA also received submissions from more than 52 institutions in India and abroad. Leading global educational institutions like BAU Centro Universitario de Artes y Diseño de Barcelona, Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology at UTD, Tehran University of Art, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Academy Of Art University, Academy of Design, Colombo, Kennesaw State University student have submitted their top entries to this prestigious festival.
Students from Prestigious Indian Institutions including all NID, IITs (IDC School of Design and DOD at various IITs), SRFTI, Symbiosis, Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art, Banasthali Vidyapith, Ajeenkya D Y Patil University, BIT Mesra, UID, Srishti Manipal have also submitted their best work.

WAVES Winners Gain Global Opportunities

Winners will receive in-person support for portfolio review by experts, and an opportunity to interact with a global jury from US, Greece & India. They will also receive networking opportunities through direct engagement with key stakeholders, including international studios, producers, and government officials for potential career opportunities. Animation studios and independent developers will receive guidance on funding, IP development, and business scalability.

ASIFA India organized a series Meet ups across 15 Indian sub-chapters to inspire creators from various cities for participate in the upcoming WAVES Awards of Excellence. In the session ‘Deep Dive into Excellence from Mentors’ eminent global Jury like Briana Yarhouse from USA & Dr. Anastasia Dimitra from Athens, Greece gave tips to participants.

Global Jury Members Briana Yarhouse, and Dr.Anastasia Dimitra shared their expertise during a Virtual Meet recently, joined by Deanna Morse(Member of Oscars), Celebrity Artist Dhimant Vyas, BN Vichar& Others..Session Moderated by Sanjay Khimesara, President, Asifa India & Vinita Bachani, Core Committee Member

For more information and to submit your work, visit the submission portal here:

https://www.asifaindia.com/waoe/

About ASIFA INDIA

ASIFA India is a non-profit organization established in 2000 to promote the art, craft, and profession of VFX, Animation & Gaming in India. ASIFA India has been working tirelessly to create a platform for creators including- Animators, VFX & Gaming artists, students, and professionals to network, learn, and showcase their work.