The Government of India is gearing up to host the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) to bolster India’s Media & Entertainment industry and extend its global influence. With the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, launching 25 Challenges under the ‘Create in India Challenge – Season 1’ on August 22, 2024, WAVES is poised to become a significant platform for icons of the M&E fraternity worldwide, focusing on entertainment economics and technology.

ANIMATION

Overview

This challenge aims to showcase Indian talent and interest in Manga, Webtoon, and Anime through a series of State—and National-Level Competitions. It will offer substantial marketing support and the potential for publishing and distribution deals.
It is organized in association with Media and Entertainment Association of India.

Who can Participate?

Amateurs
Professionals
Overview

Top Creatives create pitch packages (which include story concepts, screenplay, animation shots, and more), which will be presented to investors at WAVES.
It is organised in association with Dancing Atoms.
Who can Participate?

Amateur Filmmakers
Professional Filmmakers

GAMING

Overview

To spark the creative fire of game development through hands-on experience, a National level Game Jam to be organized targeting College Students.
It is organized in association with India Game Developer Conference.
Who can participate?

Game Development Students
Young game developer enthusiasts
Overview

ESPORTS tournaments featuring eFootball, WCC, and BGMI will be conducted in 4 batches from August to November. Each batch will showcase thrilling competitions in all three games, leading to a grand finale in November, where the ultimate champions will be crowned.
It is organised in association with ESPORTS Federation of India.
Who can participate?

Teams in BGMI
Individuals in eFootball and WCC
Overview

A single-player competition where participants compete against the computer to determine the superior city across various parameters of Sustainable Development Goals and earn points based on how their chosen city ranks in each category.
It is organised in association with E-gaming Federation.
Who can participate?

Open to all individuals
Overview

To create an engaging educational handheld device that helps children learn math, solve puzzles and enhance cognitive skills.
It is organised in association with Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS).
Who can participate?

Game Developers
Hardware Engineers
Manufacturers
Gaming Companies
Game Enthusiasts

COMICS

Overview

A three-phase comic-making competition of amateur and professional comic making artists.
The competition will unfold across three stages and feature two categories—Amateur and Professional—providing a unique platform for emerging and established creators to showcase their talents on a global scale.
It is organized in association with the Indian Comics Association.

Who can participate?

Amateur and Professional Individuals
Team of maximum 2 people

AR/XR/VR

Overview

XR Creator Hackathon is a national level XR Hackathon that aims to engage at least 3,500 participants.
It is organized in association with Wavelaps and XDG.
Who can participate?

AR/VR developers
Students
Startups
Tech enthusiasts
Overview

Participants will create a compelling virtual influencer who embodies the spirit of innovation, creativity and cultural relevance.
It is organized in association with AVTR Meta Labs.
Who can participate?

Digital Artists

GENERATIVE AI

Overview

Open to filmmakers of all ages and experience levels, this competition invites submissions that creatively integrate artificial intelligence into filmmaking.
The idea is to showcase the innovative storytelling and diverse perspectives made possible through AI while pushing the boundaries of cinematic expression.
It is organized in association with InVideo.
Who can participate?

Amateur Filmmakers
Professional Filmmakers
Overview

Participants will be encouraged to experiment with various AI tools, algorithms and techniques to create unique and captivating installations.
It is organized in association with Internet and Mobile Association of India.
Who can participate?

Artists
Designer
AI Enthusiasts

BROADCASTING

Overview

A captivating promo video to be made to promote the event across various platforms.
For this, the creative talent within the entertainment industry can be leveraged to produce a high-quality video that displays the summit’s cultural identity and theme song.
It is organized in association with Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF).
Who can participate?

Individual Content Creators
Advertising Professionals
Media Houses
Broadcasting Companies
Overview

Participants to develop cutting-edge AI powered tools for real-time fact-checking during live broadcasts.
This hackathon aims to address the problem of misinformation and disinformation in the media by empowering broadcasters the ability to verify information instantly.
It is organized in association with India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).
Who can participate?

Participants from multidisciplinary teams with expertise in natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, data analysis, software development and broadcasting

RADIO

Overview

The competition invites Community Radio Stations (CRSs) to showcase most groundbreaking and influential programs across all formats and genres.
It is organized in association with Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL).
Who can participate?

Community Radio Station in India

ADVERTISING

Overview

Participants develop predictive analytics models that optimise advertising expenditure, maximize return on investment, and drive overall marketing success. Competitors will leverage data science and machine learning techniques to build tools capable of delivering superior marketing outcomes.
It is organised in association with the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).

Who can participate?

Participants from multidisciplinary teams with expertise in data science, machine learning, statistics, software development, marketing and advertising.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Overview

Influencers will be invited to discover a city unfamiliar to them and create a vlog highlighting its lesser-known attractions, cultural landmarks, and key locations withing the Media and Entertainment Industry.
It is organized in association with Internet and Mobile Association of India.
Who can participate?

Influencers and Content Creators
Overview

Creators above 20 will create reels on themes like Viksit Bharat (highlighting India’s already existing tech and infra) or India @ 2047 (highlighting future advancements in tech and infra) through a concise 30-60 second film format.
It is organized in association with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).
Who can participate?

Content Creators 20 years and above

FILM

Overview

Participants will create visually striking, handmade posters for recently released or National Film award-winning films.
It is organized in association with National Film Archives of India (NFAI).
Who can participate?

Film Enthusiasts
Artists
Overview

Participants will be asked to create the best trailer for these originals on the OTT platforms.
It is organised in association with Netflix/Amazon Prime/Disney Hotstar.
Who can participate?

Video Editors
Filmmakers
Overview

Young filmmakers, from ages 12 to 19, will showcase their creativity and technical prowess through concise 30-60 second films.
This initiative aims to foster innovation, storytelling abilities, and digital literacy among the youth.
It is organized in association with Whistling Woods International.

Who can participate?

Participants of age group 12-19

MUSIC

Overview

A competition inviting bands to create a fresh, contemporary blend of modern music with the traditional folk pieces.
It is organized in association with Prasar Bharati.
Who can participate?

Indian Bands
International Bands
Overview

This competition will invite soloists and ensembles to showcase their virtuosity in traditional Indian instruments, culminating in a grand finale.
It is organised in association with Prasar Bharati.
Who can participate?

Solo Musicians
Instrumental Ensemble
Overview

Use of Indian Classical or a Fusion of classical and contemporary music instruments and styles to create a cohesive and culturally rich musical piece.
The music must reflect the essence of the WAVES summit.
It is organized in association with Indian Music Industry (IMI).
Who can participate?

Musicians
Composers

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Overview

The Drone Video Challenge will invite passionate drone pilots and filmmakers to create a 2-3 min video on India’s breathtaking beauty and diversity through the unique perspective of aerial cinematography.
There will be two categories. A. Drone Didi B. Open Category.
It is organized in association with Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL).
Who can participate?

Video Editors
Professional Drone Pilots
Filmmakers
Overview

Participants will develop tools and technologies to combat piracy and safeguard creative content and digital assets.
It is organized in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Who can participate?

Individual Developers
Developers in teams

From animation and gaming to music and emerging technologies, these challenges are designed to inspire and empower participants to explore new horizons, showcase their talents, and contribute to India’s evolving narrative in the global media and entertainment industry. From seasoned professionals to enthusiastic amateurs, WAVES 2024 invites all to take part in this extraordinary journey, where creativity meets opportunity and the future of entertainment takes shape.

References

https://wavesindia.org/challenges-2024
https://meai.in/wam/
https://www.indiancomicsassociation.com/comics-creator-championship/
https://whistlingwoods.co.in/WAVES/
https://hackathon.aaaindia.org/
WAVES | Create in India Challenge Season 1

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