Event Coverage
Govt to step up support of film industry, animation institute, NFDC on radar
MUMBAI: In order to give a lift to the film industry, the government is taking several measures. It will set aside Rs 200 million to encourage documentary filmmakers. It will also revive NFDC by offering financial support. “We are enhancing the capital base of NFDC. We are going to the Cabinet on this,” said information and broadcasting secretary Asha Swarup while not stating how much of fund infusion is going to be made. |
The government is setting up an animation institute in Pune. “We have land in Pune and it will take three years to set it up. We are looking at other players coming in,” Swarup said. The government will also have tie-ups with ITIs, clearly indicating that the animation industry has growth potential and needs infrastructure support. Swarup said that it is important for the government to take a role in HRD in the animation and visual effects industries. Speaking at the inaugural session of Ficci-Frames 2008 here today, Swarup also said that the government is also setting up a National Museum of Moving Image in Mumbai. The investment towards this will be Rs 600 million. “We will have it by the end of this year,” she added. |
Swarup also raised the concern of piracy but said that the proposed optical disc legislation that was drafted by Ficci is creating a regime of inspectors that is not in accordance with “To fight this menace, the supply side has to be regulated. Releasing films on multiple delivery platforms will help fight this menace. Digital release will also counter piracy,” said Swarup. The government has also initiated talks with state governments to see if they can come up with their own laws to fight piracy. “Tamil Nadu has a Goonda Act which is effective in tackling piracy,” Swarup said. Noted filmmaker and chairman of the Ficci entertainment committee Yash Chopra also raised the piracy issue which is pinching the industry of billions of rupees. He said that the main challenge for the film industry is to conquer more territories. “Our films are growing in popularity in countries like China, Japan and Russia. So distribution channels have to be strengthened,” Chopra added. |
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.
