India hosted the inaugural World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from May 1–4, 2025, positioning itself as a major player in the global media and entertainment industry. Organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with FICCI and industry stakeholders, the event brought together filmmakers, OTT platforms, studio heads, and policy-makers from over 40 countries.
Held at the NESCO Grounds in Goregaon, the summit featured keynote speeches, investment roundtables, and co-production discussions. One of the key highlights was India’s proposal to create a dedicated "Media and Content Export Zone" with tax incentives to attract foreign productions. Delegations from the U.S., France, South Korea, and Nigeria showed keen interest in co-producing with Indian studios.
Prominent Indian directors like S. S. Rajamouli and Zoya Akhtar headlined panel discussions about regional storytelling’s global potential. Several deals were signed, including a partnership between Netflix India and a Korean content studio to produce cross-border dramas. India also pitched its animation and VFX capabilities, highlighting cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru as global post-production hubs.
WAVES 2025 also focused on sustainability and digital rights. Workshops addressed AI in content creation, ethical storytelling, and climate-conscious filming. The event concluded with a cultural showcase including live performances, short film screenings, and a tribute to Indian cinema.
WAVES is expected to become an annual industry fixture, with the next edition tentatively scheduled for 2026 in Hyderabad. The summit reinforced India’s growing influence as both a creative force and a global market for entertainment content.
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