iWorld
Warner Bros. Discovery dominates ContentAsia Awards 2023 with sweeping wins
Mumbai: In a remarkable stride forward, Warner Bros. Discovery proudly announces its distinguished accomplishments at the esteemed ContentAsia Awards 2023 held in Thailand. The spotlight shone brightly on the Warner Bros. Discovery original series “Legends of the Ramayana with Amish,” securing the prestigious gold award for ‘Best Factual Programme’ in a single market within Asia. Sharing the limelight in this coveted category was “Secrets of the Kohinoor,” featuring the esteemed Manoj Bajpayee.
Further solidifying its prowess in the realm of factual entertainment, Warner Bros. Discovery also secured the silver award for “Hunt for the Indian Mujahideen” and the bronze award for “Expedition Borderlands with Levison Wood and Ash Bharadwaj” in the ‘Best Factual Entertainment Programme’ section. Moreover, Warner Bros. Discovery’s dedication to engaging and informative content was reinforced with the silver award for “Ganganyaan – Bharat Ki Antariksh Udaan” in the ‘Best Current Affairs’ category. These accolades underscore the network’s steadfast commitment to delivering captivating and informative content.
Discovery, South Asia head of factual and lifestyle cluster Sai Abishek shared, “We are deeply humbled and thrilled by the recognition our Indian originals have received from the esteemed ContentAsia Awards. From ‘Legends of The Ramayana’ to ‘Secrets of The Kohinoor,’ our narratives captivate viewers while unearthing unexplored dimensions of treasured tales. We remain unwavering in our commitment to create compelling and authentic stories that transcend borders and resonate globally.”
The ContentAsia Summit was held between 21 August 2023 to 24 August 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand and culminated with the ContentAsia Awards 2023. This momentous occasion celebrates exceptional content and industry excellence, reiterating Warner Bros. Discovery’s position as a frontrunner in the realm of captivating storytelling.
iWorld
Zeel to invest up to Rs 116 crore in PhantomFX for AVGC push
Strategic deal targets VFX, animation and gaming to scale global IP play.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… and now a lot more action behind the scenes Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. is doubling down on the magic that happens after the shoot, betting big on visual effects and animation to power its next growth chapter. The company has approved a strategic investment of up to Rs 116 crore in Phantom Digital Effects Ltd., marking a decisive push into the fast-growing Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) segment. The investment will be made through compulsorily convertible debentures in one or more tranches, subject to shareholder approvals.
The move signals a clear shift in Zeel’s playbook from just telling stories to engineering how they look, feel and travel across platforms. With PhantomFX’s global footprint spanning key markets such as the US and UK, the partnership is expected to significantly enhance ZEEL’s ability to create high-impact, visually rich content across OTT originals, animation, gaming and mythology-led formats.
At the heart of the collaboration lies a blend of storytelling muscle and technological precision. Zeel plans to tap into PhantomFX’s AI-integrated production workflows, proprietary pipelines and post-production expertise to improve efficiency and scale across projects. The two companies will also jointly develop original intellectual properties for OTT, gaming and licensing, expanding monetisation avenues beyond traditional formats.
The partnership is structured as non-exclusive, allowing PhantomFX to retain operational independence while continuing to serve its global clientele. For Zeel, however, the alliance offers a steady pipeline of creative and technical capabilities, enabling it to strengthen its omni-channel strategy and build globally relevant content assets.
PhantomFX brings with it an impressive pedigree. Its network includes award-winning studios such as Tippett Studio known for Academy Award-winning work on Jurassic Park and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and Milk Visual Effects, which has bagged both an Oscar and a BAFTA for Ex Machina.
The investment comes at a time when the AVGC space is rapidly expanding, driven by demand for immersive, effects-heavy storytelling and cross-platform content experiences. For Zeel, this isn’t just a deal, it’s a visual upgrade to its global ambitions, where pixels, pipelines and IP could define the next blockbuster moment.
