Event Coverage
EEMAGINE 2024: Kolkata Summit sets records, inspires cross-sector creativity
Mumbai: The city of Kolkata recently witnessed an extraordinary convergence of technology, innovation, and thought leadership at EEMAGINE 2024. Held from 9 to 11 August at the prestigious ITC Kolkata, this landmark event brought together over 1000 professionals from a plethora of industries, creating a dynamic platform for exploring India’s bright future. The esteemed speakers at the event came from diverse professions, including the experience economy, media, marketing, and acting. EEMAGINE 2024 not only highlighted the transformative potential of AI but also celebrated the spirit of collaboration and creativity that drives the industry forward.
Hosted by the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), EEMAGINE 2024 attracted an impressive footfall of 1000 attendees, showcasing the event’s scale and influence.
The proceedings kicked off with a highly anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM), followed by a series of captivating activities including wine tasting and an artist showcase. These activities set the tone for an immersive and engaging experience, culminating in a lavish cocktail dinner at Raas Manch that provided attendees with ample opportunities to network and connect.
Day 2 was marked by an inspiring flag-hoisting ceremony and a powerful welcome address, underscoring the importance of unity and collaboration in advancing India across music, architecture, the experience economy, and more. The day featured a rich lineup of immersive conversations and masterclasses, with luminaries such as Arif Patel, Heather Gallagher, Sanjoy Roy, and Roshan Abbas leading discussions on diverse topics ranging from music licensing and sustainability to intellectual property and cultural phenomena like the Burning Man festival. The day’s events were rounded off with poolside chats, artist showcases an idea conclave, and a luxurious evening gala, offering a perfect blend of intellectual engagement and leisurely networking.
The final day of EEMAGINE 2024 was a crescendo of inspiration and innovation, featuring an esteemed lineup of speakers, from authors to CEOs, creative directors, and more. The lineup of speakers included Anup Soni, Atul Satya Kaushik, Brian Tellis, Amiya Swarup, Saurabh Khurana, Sameer Tobaccowala, Chanda Singh, Mandeep Malhotra, and Pablo Azuela from Cocolab International, among others. These thought leaders delivered compelling talks on resilience, passion, creative exploration, diversity, and inclusivity, leaving attendees with valuable insights and a renewed sense of purpose. The event concluded with the exciting EEMAX Global Awards, recognising outstanding contributions in various categories, including corporate events, consumer experiences, exhibitions, social events, IPs, and more. The awards night set the stage for future advancements in India across a variety of sectors.
EEMA president and managing director and E. Factor Experiences Ltd co-founder Samit Garg shared, “The turnout and enthusiasm at EEMAGINE 2024 were truly remarkable. When we envisioned EEMAGINE 2024, our goal was to create a platform that fosters a collaborative environment for industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts from a variety of fields. From the insightful keynote speeches and masterclasses to the vibrant networking sessions, every aspect of this event was designed to inspire and connect. We are thrilled with the strategic partnerships and groundbreaking ideas that emerged over these three days.”
He also shared his excitement over the destination for the event, adding “Kolkata, with its rich cultural heritage and blossoming tech scene, was the perfect choice for EEMAGINE 2024. The city’s unique blend of tradition and innovation provided an inspiring backdrop for our discussions and explorations into the future. Hosting the event here has highlighted Kolkata’s potential as a hub for technological advancements and creative thinking. Plans are already underway for EEMAGINE 2025, which promises to be even bigger and more impactful, continuing our mission to drive innovation and progress in the tech industry.”
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.
