AniMela 2026 to Spotlight Indian Animation IP and Global Storytelling in Mumbai

Mumbai:
AniMela 2026, India’s premier international festival dedicated to Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), is set to return to Mumbai next month, reinforcing the country’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for original storytelling. Backed by France’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the event will be held from February 20 to 22, 2026, at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) Films Division premises.

Organised by the Aniverse and Visual Arts Foundation (AVAF), the upcoming edition builds on AniMela’s strategic partnership with Annecy to move India’s AVGC-XR sector beyond a service-driven model and towards original Intellectual Property (IP) creation with global reach.

Focus on Original Indian IP Creation

A central theme of AniMela 2026 is the push to position India as a creator of original IP rather than only a backend service provider for global studios. The festival will showcase eight Indian creators and six contemporary stories that blend traditional Indian narratives with modern storytelling approaches.

This initiative is closely linked to Annecy’s marketplace, MIFA, enabling Indian creators to connect with international mentorship, co-production, and distribution networks. Organisers said the aim is to bridge local creative talent with global markets, opening pathways for Indian stories to travel internationally.

Expanding the Scope: Transmedia and Gaming

The festival’s programming spans film screenings, premieres, artist talks, and behind-the-scenes sessions on major animation and visual effects projects. A significant addition this year is the Transmedia Stage, which will explore world-building across multiple formats such as film, video games, sound, and interactive media.

AniMela 2026 will also feature a dedicated gaming arena, a curated comics programme, and an international virtual reality showcase. Among the notable previews is “Jharokha One: The Dancing Forest,” a location-based VR experience inspired by an Adivasi song from Telangana and developed using the Gond visual tradition. The project reflects the festival’s emphasis on merging indigenous cultural forms with emerging technologies.

International Advisory Board and Industry Leadership
 

Guiding the festival is a high-profile international advisory board comprising leading figures from India and abroad. The board includes Mickael Marin, director of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival; Munjal Shroff of Graphiti Studio; Arjun Madhavan of Assemblage; executive producer Ashima Avasthi Chaudhuri; Aneta Ozorek of the Kaboom Film Festival; and filmmaker Kiran Rao, as reported by Variety.

According to organisers, the advisory board’s collective expertise underscores AniMela’s mission to professionalise India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem and integrate it more deeply into the global creative supply chain. Munjal Shroff said the festival is expanding its scope this year to celebrate fans and communities whose imagination sustains these creative universes.

Industry at a Turning Point

Festival Director Nina Sabnani said AniMela 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for India’s creative industries, marked by emerging talent and innovative thinking across animation, gaming, and immersive media. She noted that the festival aims to provide a platform where creators can gain visibility, mentorship, and global exposure.

Filmmaker Kiran Rao, who has joined the advisory board, echoed this view, describing it as an honour to support a platform that champions a future in which Indian creators stand alongside their global counterparts.

Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Support

Strategic partnerships continue to play a key role in AniMela’s expansion. The festival has entered into two-year collaborations with the French Institute in India, NFDC, and the Indian Institute of Creative Technology. These alliances are intended to strengthen education, skill development, and dialogue between Indian and international industry stakeholders.

Mathieu Béjot of the French Institute in India highlighted the “Desibel – Indian Talents, French Vibes” project, which focuses on nurturing original Indian IPs through cross-cultural collaboration. NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum described AniMela as a natural partner in bringing together storytelling and technology on a global stage.

Open Platform for the Creative Community

AniMela 2026 is open to creators, students, industry professionals, and the general public. By combining screenings, discussions, mentorship programmes, and immersive experiences, the festival seeks to foster a collaborative environment that connects Indian talent with international opportunities.

What Lies Ahead

As AniMela 2026 approaches, expectations are high that the festival will further cement Mumbai’s role in the global AVGC-XR ecosystem. With its emphasis on original IP, transmedia storytelling, and international collaboration, the event aims to contribute to a long-term shift in how Indian animation and gaming are created, marketed, and consumed worldwide.