VEGAS Fest 2024, a key event celebrating the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) industry, kicked off at the iconic Kalaivanar Arangam in Triplicane.
The event brought together students, delegates, and industry experts for a packed schedule of over 20 knowledge sessions, 10 panels, and six hands-on workshops, featuring more than 60 speakers who dove into the latest trends shaping the AVGC and Extended Reality (XR) sectors.
A highlight of the fest was its focus on Tamil Nadu’s growing potential as a hub for AVGC. Keynotes, case studies, and presentations centered around how this burgeoning industry contributes to the state’s economy, positioning Tamil Nadu as a strategic player in India’s AVGC landscape. Ashish S.K., Chairman of the FICCI AVGC-XR Forum and Founder of Punnaryug Artvision Pvt Ltd, has been instrumental in this movement.
“With forward-thinking policies, AVGC will generate maximum jobs, and Tamil Nadu’s vision to become a hub is both timely and strategic,” Ashish emphasized.
The AVGC sector is gaining momentum across the nation, with states like Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi leading the charge with established policies. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal are in the process of formulating their own frameworks to unlock the sector’s vast potential.
Day one of VEGAS Fest 2024 ended on a high note, offering an exciting blend of visual effects breakdowns, masterclasses, and engaging discussions that provided valuable networking opportunities for both students and VFX professionals.
Among the most anticipated presentations were technical breakdowns of VFX techniques used in high-profile Tamil films such as Ayalaan, Kalki 2898, and Leo, offering attendees a deep dive into the cutting-edge work behind these blockbusters.
One of the key sessions, titled Key Advantages for the AVGC Sector in Fostering Government Collaboration, explored how the AVGC-XR industry can benefit from partnerships with government bodies.
Speakers included Puneet Sharma of Veloces AVGC Education, Kuhan Madhan from Guidance Tamil Nadu, educationist and media entrepreneur B.S. Srinivas of ABAI, and Toonz Media Group CEO P. Jayakumar, with the panel moderated by Sanjay Khimesara, Senior Managing Director at the Khimesara Institute of Visual Media and Design.
Another pivotal discussion was led by Sundheep Balu and Swetha Ratnasabhapathi from the British Deputy High Commission’s Business and Trade Department, who highlighted the opportunities for the AVGC-XR industry to expand in the UK.
In an exciting development for the sector, the Indian government recently approved the establishment of a National Center of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).
The center aims to foster the growth of the AVGC sector through knowledge dissemination, events, and conferences. With an annual enrollment capacity of over 1,500 students across undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, and short-term programs, the NCoE will also work toward building intellectual property and serving as a think tank for the industry.
VEGAS Fest 2024 is not just a showcase of the current AVGC landscape but a glimpse into the future, where innovation, collaboration, and education will drive the sector to new heights.
Recently Cabinet approves setting up NCoE for Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality (AVGC-XR)
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