Event Coverage
Thunderbird Films & Daro Film Distribution ink worldwide deals for 2 series
MUMBAI:Thunderbird Films and Daro Film Distribution today announced they have picked up worldwide distribution rights for the mini series Dragon Boys and the youth drama Edgemont.Making its worldwide premiere at Mipcom, Dragon Boys is a thriller set in the world of Asian gangs and organized crime on the West Coast of Canada. Based on detailed research, the drama follows a Chinese-Canadian police detective and an immigrant family as they confront a deadly threat from Asian organized crime. The four hour mini series was recently nominated for nine Gemini awards in Canada, including Best Mini Series.
“We are very proud of Dragon Boys and Edgemont because of the quality of these productions. Dragon Boys is exceptional in that is was able to achieve a combination of high level writing, direction and performances from people at the top of their professional game,” said Omni Film Productions president and executive producer Michael Chechik.
The two companies also picked up the half-hour teen drama Edgemont.Starring Kristen Kreuk, the series explores the vividly real world of high school life. From jocks and misfits, to the dreamers and girl-next-door, Edgemont chronicles all the characters known to populate school hallways, as they tackle the challenges of growing up.
“This is the seventh project that we have done with Daro in the past 18 months and we are deeply impressed with their expertise and professionalism. Daro really knows how to sell,” said Thunderbird Films president Michael Shepard.
“Edgemont, already a proven winner in North America, stands out with strong writing and showcases a terrific group of young actors. I‘m delighted that these productions will receive exposure to international audiences. They really do deserve success,” added Chechik.
Both Dragon Boys and Edgemont were produced by Vancouver-based Omni Film Productions Limited Led by industry veteran, Michael Chechik Omni. For 26 years Omni Film has produced over 200 hours of documentaries and series across various genres. Together with sister companies Water Street Pictures and Water Street Releasing, Omni is a complete film and television production and distribution entity. A few shows currently in production are West Coast Tsunami, a two-hour documentary for CBC; Robson Arms (season three), the critically acclaimed dramatic comedy series for CTV; and She‘s Crafty a hip new craft series for HGTV.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
