Event Coverage
Storytelling from the experts
MUMBAI: In the beginning was the word! And then came the Net. So, has the nature of storytelling changed with the emergence of new media like Internet and interactive TV? Well, not really, as the session on ‘Master class in storytelling’ at Ficci Frames 2005 revealed.
The session conducted by Nigel Cole, BBC Broadcast, London, explored the history of storytelling right from the classical times taking the Shakespearean prologue to the current times where the challenge lies in communicating via promos and commercials. So, whether it’s a three hour epic or a thirty second spot the need for great storytelling techniques still apply.
Shedding light on the art of great storytelling, Cole said, “The challenge is to grab the viewer’s attention. So the selection of stories has to be timeless, it could cover some historical truths or titanic struggles between good and evil. It’s the timelessness of the story which will make the viewer take notice. Citing from Aristotle’s concept of drama which should comprise three unities i.e. time, place and action-it should all take place within one day, one place and one singular plot line.”
The storytelling fundamentals really depend on the simple structure which has to be a simple exposition of the story. And the storytelling fundamentals really revolve around an incident, complications, crisis, climax and resolution.
So, how does one apply these techniques in the current scenario? Says, Cole, “Over the years there have been hundreds of well-designed title sequences that in their own right have earned a place in our hearts and minds, effectively marketing a time in our lives in 60 seconds or less. Even good promo makers and designers need to understand these basic concepts of storytelling and have a clear understanding of audience response before they put pen to paper. Are we trying to wow the viewer, charm them, intrigue them or inspire them?”
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.
