Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwani Vaishnaw, announced that India will host the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Goa from November 20-24, 2024. This significant event for the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry was unveiled at a curtain raiser in New Delhi, attended by Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, and Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L. Murugan.

 

Government Commitment and Vision

Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the structural changes and technological advancements in the M&E sector, highlighting the government's commitment to support the industry in adapting to these changes. He stressed the importance of public policy in harnessing the best opportunities arising from these transformations.

  • Employment and Talent Pipeline:
    • The government aims to create employment and enhance the talent pipeline in the M&E sector through structural and procedural efforts.
    • Collaboration between the M&E industry, financial sector, and technology sector is crucial for achieving these goals.

 

Convergence of WAVES and IFFI

Vaishnaw stated that WAVES and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) represent different parts of the same spectrum, with WAVES focusing on industry input and IFFI on creative output. This convergence aims to establish Goa as a major hub for creativity, talent, and innovation.

 

Statements from Key Officials

  • Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa:

    • Sawant highlighted that while IFFI is a beacon of cinematic excellence, WAVES will introduce a new dimension of industry collaboration, focusing on the emerging M&E sector. He invited the M&E industry to Goa with a spirit of innovation and collaboration.

  • L. Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting:

    • Murugan emphasized that WAVES 2024 aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of bringing global leaders from the M&E industry to India, creating a platform to support the sector's manpower.

  • Sanjay Jaju, Secretary:

    • Jaju outlined the objectives of WAVES, including fostering innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, strengthening industry collaborations, attracting investment, promoting skill development, encouraging content diversity, and promoting sustainable growth. He identified key focus areas: Content Production and Innovation, Animation, VFX, Gaming, Music, and Intellectual Property (IP) Creation.

 

Event Details and Industry Participation

The curtain raiser event included the launch of the WAVES 2024 website and brochure, followed by a CEO Roundtable with nearly 60 organizations represented by 80 top managers from leading media sectors. The summit aims to foster dialogue, trade collaboration, and innovation within the evolving M&E industry landscape.

 

Conclusion

WAVES, scheduled for November 20-24, 2024, in Goa, promises to be a landmark event for the M&E industry, bringing together creatives, stakeholders, and innovators to explore opportunities, tackle challenges, attract trade to India, and shape the sector's future.