Animation has come out trumps in 2024. And to celebrate the industry’s evolution and resilience, Animation and More Summit (AM Summit) is back in all its glory this year. The two-day conference is set for 3 and 4 September at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The event will lead up to India’s most prestigious accolades, the Ann Awards 2024 which are set to celebrate the artistry and creativity in the animation industry.
The 2024 edition of the summit promises a power-packed lineup over both days, making it the ultimate conference for all things animation. Attendees can look forward to insightful sessions led by notable industry experts and key players in the field. Highlights include a masterclass on the making of The Garfield Movie by DNEG Animation, a panel that deep dives into the potential of anime, a session by Zebu Animation Studios on crafting a commercial for LEGO, a session on the process of animating parts of Imtiaz Ali’s live-action film Chamkila and a presentation by popular YouTube channel Bisbo’s founder Shakir Ebrahim. An exciting feature of the summit is the Whimsical Ink with Venky masterclass, where participants will have the chance to win a paid internship opportunity with Zebu Animation.
This year, AM Summit is hosting two country pavilions – Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)—bringing diverse global perspectives as various studios from these countries join us.
At the summit, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and celebrate excellence in animation at the prestigious Ann Awards. Held on 4 September, the second day of the summit, Ann Awards which is now in its fifth edition, honours the creators behind the amazing animated content that is being produced in India.
AM Summit 2024 will see the participation of major broadcasters, brands, studios, institutes, freelancers, creative professionals and students. Influential industry leaders have come aboard as advisors to ensure that the event is a transformative and exciting experience for professionals as well as enthusiasts. The members of the advisory board include:
- Anil NM Wanvari (Founder, Chairman and Editor in Chief, AnimationXpress)
- Arjun Madhavan (CEO, Assemblage Entertainment)
- Ashish Kulkarni (Chairman of AVGC-XR Forum, FICCI | Founder, Punnayarg Artvision)
- Manoj Menon (Creative Director, Mikros Animation)
- Manoj Mishra (Founder and CEO, Powerkids Entertainment)
- Milind D. Shinde (Founder and CEO, 88 Pictures)
- P Jayakumar (CEO, Toonz Media Group)
- Philippe Gluckman (Creative Director, India, DNEG Animation)
- Rajat Ojha (CEO, Gamitronics)
- Sonam Shekhawat (Writer and Director)
Some eminent companies that will participate in the summit include DNEG India, Crunchyroll, MCDonald’s, Disney India, Green Gold Animation, Warner Bros. Discovery, Hero Electric Vehicles, Technicolor Group, ElevenLabs, and Powerkids Entertainment.
Day one will kick off with a transformative keynote address by Maxon CEO David McGavran on ‘Crafting the Future: Where Innovation Meets Imagination’. The next day will include another exciting keynote address on ‘Crafting Iconic Animated Worlds’ by Imagica Infos Japan president & representative director Tatsuya Maeda. Along with these, the summit will include a vast variety of sessions:
- Masterclass: Making of The Garfield Movie by DNEG Animation
The India team of DNEG Animation will offer viewers an in-depth look into how the beloved lazy cat was brought to life for the big screen. Experts from the India team of the award-winning London-based company will provide key insights into the production of this animated feature.
- Anime: The Sleeping Giant
Anime and other Japanese animated content has proven to be an ever-growing phenomenon in India. The nation has been embracing the anime wave with open arms, from youngsters to adults regularly binge watching shows. At the summit, Muse Communication’s Julia Cheng, McDonald’s’ Priya Rege Jaggi, and Sony YAY!’s Sujoy Roy Bardhan will explore the growing popularity of anime in India and how various platforms, theatres, and brands are utilising its potential.
- Fireside Chat: The Continued Success of Anime Among Young Fans (ages 2-14)
Anime has not only captivated adults but has also captured the attention of young viewers across the world. The medium has been successful with viewers of all ages due to its heart, powerful performances, and imaginative storytelling. In this fireside chat, Disney and Star kids & infotainment business head Devika Prabhu will speak to Dream Theatre founder & CEO Jiggy George exploring the factors contributing to anime’s popularity among young fans.
- Crafting LEGO stories from script to screen
From a beloved toy brand to a media powerhouse, Lego has made its mark across movies, TV shows, and even video games. In this session, attendees will explore the captivating world of Lego animation with Zebu Animation Studios founder Veerendra Patil. Patil will share how his team brings Lego universes to life with their imaginative storytelling and technical mastery.
Zebu Animation Studios have created various Lego animation projects like musician Chris Stapelton’s Second One to Know music video, the horror series Lego: Hidden Side, and edutainment series Lego: Master of Flight.
- Creator’s World: Showcase By Independent Artists & Studios
It is indeed true that independent creators pack as much of a punch as the larger studios in the animation industry. The efforts of independent studios deserve as much recognition as their giant counterparts. At this year’s summit, YouTube channel Bisbo’s founder Shakir Ebrahim, Totem Creative co-founder and creative director Arvind Singh Jeena, and Ekabhayu Animation co-founder Shivangi Ranawat will highlight the opportunities and challenges of producing content independently, the monetisation models they employ, the collaborations they forge and the career prospects in the current scenario.
- Animating Chamkila: A Dynamic Storytelling Tool in Live-Action Cinema
Director Imtiaz Ali’s Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila has been hailed for its narrative that blends animation with live-action, a style barely explored in Indian cinema. In this exciting discussion, philmCGI creative director Kanchi Kanani and Chamkila’s DOP Sylvester Fonseca (Sacred Games, Kennedy, Ghost Stories) will speak to writer Yash Thakur about how animation was used as a storytelling tool in the live-action, the decision to use three different animation techniques and how they closely collaborated with the director to envision this blend.
- IP Rights in AI: Protecting Creativity in the Digital Age
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating works of art has been a topic of discussion and controversy involving various legal complexities. With her experience in providing advice to media, entertainment, and IT sectors, ANM Global partner Anushree Rauta will offer in-depth insights into the implications of AI on intellectual property rights in animation. The session will shed light on legal challenges and best practices for protecting creative works and the role of technology in producing them.
- Building Bridges: Successful International Collaborations
This panel will explore the keys to successful international collaboration in the animation industry. Attendees will hear from Hornbill Studios’ Srinivas Raju, FICCI’s Ashish Kulkarni, 88 Pictures’ Aby John, Studio56’s Gauri Sriram, Mogo Studios’ Sachitha Kalingamudali, and Powerkids Entertainment’s Manoj Mishra on navigating cross-cultural partnerships to produce globally acclaimed projects. This discussion will shed light on the process of accessing and leveraging government grants and subsidies to help finance and bring animated projects to life.
Here is the full two-day schedule: https://animationandmoresummit.com/2024/agenda.html
This is just the tip of the summit, with many more masterclasses and sessions to explore. The two-day event is packed with insightful sessions from industry experts, promising a transformative experience for both seasoned animation professionals and aspiring creatives.
The summit will feature the second edition of AnimationXpress’ Animation Creators Pitch, a chance of a lifetime for the nation’s animation enthusiasts to submit their pitches and bring their animated ideas to life. The initiative encourages innovative ideas and connects aspiring creators with industry professionals to support and launch their projects.
Be a part of the majestic celebration of the animation industry!
Register now to book your spot: