Event Coverage
Stars will collide for BBC Worldwide at Mipcom
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide comes to the television event Mipcom in Cannes with a mix of drama, natural history and comedy titles. The event takes place from 17-21 October 2005.
One of the shows it will bring is the comedy Supernova starring Rob Brydon. Paul Hamilton played by Brydon swaps rainy England and a dreary girlfriend for the scorching red earth of the Australian outback and the shining white dome of the Royal Australian Observatory. Here he plans to shed his inhibitions but it appears that black holes, cosmic stardust and primal gases are far simpler to deal with than the age-old mysteries of love, life and the universe.
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant star in another comedy Extras. The series centres on Andy Millman (Gervais), a disgruntled and struggling actor and the tedious and mundane life of a lowly supporting artist. Guest stars include Kate Winslet Titanic, Ben Stiller, Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Stewart.
Television host David Attenborough hosts the natural history show Life in the Undergrowth. This series that lifts the lid on the miniature universe beneath our feet. Using new technology, the production immerses the viewer in the bizarre and super-organised world of invertebrates such as swarming antler moths, desert locusts and a mountain of cockroaches – their never-before-seen habits, lifestyles and characteristics explained in David Attenborough’s inimitable style. Life In The Undergrowth is a co-production with Animal Planet.
For those with a literary taste writer Andrew Davies recreates the Charles Dickens classic Bleak House. The novel is considered to be one of the greatest depictions of Victorian London – from its glittering heights to its lowest depths.
The six episode Egypt is a co-production with The Learning Channel and ZDF. The series reveals the most important discoveries from the world of the ancient Egyptians as it journeys back in time to Howard Carter’s unearthing of the tomb of Tutankhamun, the Great Belzoni’s finds from the reign of Ramesses II and Champollion’s deciphering of the hieroglyphs.
Before all that however Mipcom Junior which is a two day event dedicated to children’s television kicks off tomorow 14 October 2005. One title that BBC Worldwide will showcase here is Tiger Aspect’s Charlie & Lola. The animation series for young children is based on the award-winning picture books by Lauren Child.
The one hour special The Snow Queen is based on Hans Christian Anderson’s story of friendship and the triumph of love over wickedness and stars Juliet Stevenson and Patrick Stewart. The Snow Queen is a Total Eclipse production for the BBC.
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.
