FICCI Frames 2024, A review

The 24th edition of FICCI Frames, a three-day event began in Mumbai on March 5, 2024 at Hotel Westin, Powai, in Mumbai.

It provided a platform for communication and exchange between M&E stakeholders, including industry figures, influencers, and policy makers for three days. This conference brought together more the 400,000 professionals from India and abroad representing the various sectors of the industry

The theme of this year’s convention was Reflections, Realities & Road Ahead, celebrating the evolution of the industry and reflecting on its future.

THE INAUGURAL SESSION was attended by the Minister for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Maharashtra, Mangal Prabhat Lodha; Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Sanjay Jaju; Actor Rani Mukherjee; FICCI Vice President Anant Goenka; FICCI Chair of Media & Entertainment (M&E) Committee Kevin Vaz; and FICCI Chair for AVGC, Ashish Kulkarni amongst the dignitaries.

Mangal Mangal Prabhat Lodha said, skilling and re-skilling will gain utmost importance in the coming days for a youthful nation like India and urged for industry support in the skill sector. Realization of Honourable PM’s dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ depends on collective contribution of everyone, he added.

Sanjay Jaju stated that GoI has recognized the pivotal role M&E segment plays in shaping our society, influencing our perspectives, and reflecting our collective efforts. This industry is renowned for its creativity, innovation, cultural richness, and it serves as a beacon for not only our nation, but also for the world. This sector resonates deeply with the diverse tapestry of the Indian life and it transcends boundary and fosters unity amongst diversity for a country as diverse as ours, I & B Secretary further stated. M&E is a unique segment having growth and employment intensity embedded in it, and at the same time it is a sunrise sector from the point of view of disruptions happening in the sector. This sector plays an important role as a multiplier for our economy, he added.

Actor Rani Mukerji said that FICCI FRAMES 2024 has set the agenda for an ever-changing media and entertainment industry. “The pandemic forced us to adapt, innovate, and reimagine the ways in which we connect with audiences. As consumer preferences evolve, there is a growing demand for unique and innovative content delivery,” she added.

Anant Goenka, Vice President, FICCI and Vice Chairman, RPG Group said that FICCI FRAMES 2024 has been a cornerstone over the years, significantly influencing the trajectory of India’s media and entertainment industry. The Indian media and entertainment sector has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade, and the digital revolution has reshaped our industry.

Kevin Vaz, Chair, FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee and CEO – Broadcast and Entertainment, Viacom 18 said that the road ahead for the industry is brimming with possibilities and challenges alike. The integration of artificial intelligence promises to reshape the landscape of content creation, distribution, and consumption, particularly generative AI, which is now an inexorable part of M&E supply chains, he added.

Ashish Kulkarni, Chair, AVGC-XR Committee, FICCI delivered the vote of thanks.

FICCI-EY report Reinvent – India’s Media & Entertainment sector Is Innovating For The Future was released during the inaugural session.

DAY TWO

The second day focused on artificial intelligence, government policies for the AVGC sector, the digital age and international co-productions in filmmaking.

It commenced with the session FICCI EY GenAI M&E Startup Showcase. From revolutionising scriptwriting and virtual set design to personalising content  recommendations and enhancing character animation, start-ups in the AI space showcased their products.

In the Tech Titans: Technology Driving the Media and Entertainment Industry panel, Microsoft India managing director Irina Ghose spoke to The Morning Context executive editor T Surender about technology redefining content creation and how VR & AR are shaping immersive storytelling experiences. Ghose further emphasised that AI will not take away jobs, but rather create new opportunities for those who learn and adapt to it.

A panel on CineMagnet: Igniting Global Collaborations delved into the pivotal role of film commissions in fostering global partnerships, navigating regulatory landscapes and showcasing best practices from successful cross-border projects.

The session States in Sync: Shaping India’s Future through Collaborative Policies and Innovation in AVGC Sector, where AVGC associations from different states shared their roles and initiatives to boost this sector in their home states. The session focused on strategies, policies and support frameworks implemented by various states, collectively advancing the growth and competitiveness of the Indian AVGC sector. Panelists from Telangana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and West Bengal charted a course toward India’s prominence as a global AVGC superpower through diverse state-driven initiatives.

The second day concluded with FICCI Frames’ Best Animated Frames (BAF) Awards.

DAY THREE

The third day focused on on skills and education within the M&E sector.

In the session, State-led Innovations in Media & Entertainment for Workforce Development, speakers touched upon proactive measures aimed at fostering a skilled workforce in key areas of media production, content creation, digital media, animation, gaming, and more. The speakers included Maharashtra State Skill Development Society’s Shreshta Gupta; Telangana Academy for Skill & Knowledge (TASK) CEO Shrikant Sinha; Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI) convenor & special projects director B. S. Srinivas; and World Design Council India country head Philip Thomas. The panel was moderated by Graphiti Studios’ Shroff.

The session, Immersive Narratives: India’s Adoption of the Virtual Production Workflow delved into the immersive realm of storytelling, focusing on India’s embrace of the virtual production workflow. The panel comprised Manoj Paramahamsa, Annapurna Studios CTO; C V Rao, FutureWorks co-founder & CEO Gaurav Gupta; Film Engineers founder Vivek Kandasamy; and DNEG Virtual Production creative supervisor Parth Shah. The panel was moderated by Whistling Woods International CTO Chaitanya Chinchlikar. Panelists showed examples of how they have used virtual production in their projects, along with videos and case studies. They discussed on the planning stages and how virtual production is put into action.

As the day came to an end, Manoj Paramahamsa; phantomFX’s Arputharaj; and The Mill India executive director RK Chand showcased VFX breakdowns of popular films. Paramahamsa discussed collaborating with phantomFX and MPC on key sequences from the movie Leo, Arputharaj shared insights into the extensive VFX work done for the recently released film Ayalaan, and Chand showcased breakdown reels from MPC’s projects such as Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Napoleon, and Bhediya. The session came to an end with the showcase of the trailer of the animated feature film Return of the Jungle by Vaibhav Studios.

“In the 25th edition of FICCI FRAMES in 2025, we will identify the transformational changes required in the media and entertainment industry, focusing on the initiatives needed for India in 2030,” concluded SK Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI.