Bengaluru GAFX 2024: What to expect, industry leaders at event and all that you need to know

‘Heavy impetus on skilling’

Kharge said that this edition of the GAFX will have a “heavy impetus on skilling” in order to nurture employability in the gaming and animation ecosystem. This edition will see established and award-winning studios and leaders addressing the industry through panel discussions, showcases, policy deliberations, pitches to top studios and live competitions.

Studios and veterans from both the international and Indian studios will showcase some of the biggest and critically acclaimed titles through the event. The GAFX, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will have 115 sessions with 130 speakers of which 22 are eminent international speakers coming from 10 different countries.

The highlight of the event will be B2B meetings organised to facilitate growth of business in the state and especially the startups who will be provided an opportunity to pitch their ideas/product before the VC community. The GAFX will also see the participation of Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics (AVGC) trade associations from other states.

VFX

This edition of the GAFX will see some leading Indian and international names in the world of visual effects. Works of visual effects from Hollywood that wowed audiences the world over will be presented at the GAFX, including the Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Antman & Wasp Quantamania, and The Fast & the Furious X.

Animation

Cutting-edge animation presentations and showcases will include the animation of Oscar-nominated movie Nimona by the DNEG, spectacular animated features from India by Oscar-nominated studio Mikros Animation and Independent Global Animation Films by Assemblage.

There will also be a session on as well as ‘How to secure your IP’ for content creators by Zebu Animation. Greengold Animation will present its unique work on the Making of Chhota Bheem Live Action movie.

Gaming

Kalari Capital’s Vani Kola & Invest India CEO Nivruti Rai are slated to address the gaming landscape of India in the session ‘Investor Speak – Strategies for Staying Relevant and Resilient in the Indian Gaming Startup Ecosystem.’

Leaders of the Gaming ecosystem Kris Gopalkrishnan – Chairman Axilor Ventures, Co-founder Infosys, President Infosys Science Foundation & Rajan Navani – Vice Chairman & Managing Director at JetLine Group of Companies; Founder & CEO JetSynthesys will address the gathering on ‘The Indian Video Gaming and Esports Industry’.

The MPL, Nazara Technologies, Nodwin Games and Technicolor Games will present insightful panels and showcases on topics ranging from the ecosystem, technologies, talent and game art and animation.

Additionally, the Bengaluru GAFX consists of a B2B forum, a platform to connect IP owners, developers, content creators and production houses keen on producing innovative content.

This event serves as an exclusive interface, drawing in selected international and national studios, producers, broadcasters, distributors and financiers. Leading industry names, including Rajeshwari Roy – Associate Chief Producer & Head of Content – Animation, Digital & Broadcast Media at Ramoji Group, Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz – Creator of Nickelodeon’s hit international franchise Shimmer and Shine and Mikros Animation’s Russell Tracy Jr will be a part of the industry lineup at this marketplace forum.