Synopsis
Get ready for the WAVES Summit 2025, where India's media and entertainment landscape will be showcased globally. Prime Minister Modi will kick off this landmark event aimed at connecting creators and countries while unlocking a massive market potential. This summit promises to be a game-changer for the entertainment industry.Key Takeaways
- Global Participation: Over 90 countries will be represented.
- Networking Opportunities: The WAVES Bazaar aims to connect thousands of buyers and sellers.
- $50 Billion Market Potential: The summit aims to unlock significant industry growth by 2029.
- Comprehensive Showcase: The event will feature diverse sectors like films, OTT, and digital media.
- Government Support: The Maharashtra government is actively promoting the event.
Mumbai, April 30 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to officially open the groundbreaking World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 during his visit to Maharashtra on Thursday.
A government announcement reveals that this four-day summit, themed ‘Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries’, aims to establish India as a vital center for media, entertainment, and digital innovation. The event will gather creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from around the globe.
Aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of harnessing creativity, technology, and talent for a brighter future, WAVES will encompass films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting, and other emerging technologies, serving as a comprehensive showcase of India's media and entertainment capabilities.
WAVES has a target to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, thereby enhancing India’s role in the global entertainment economy. For the first time, the summit will host the Global Media Dialogue (GMD), featuring ministerial participation from 25 countries, marking a significant milestone in India’s engagement with the global media and entertainment sector.
Additionally, the summit will introduce the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace that will include over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects, aimed at fostering local and global connections, alongside numerous networking and business opportunities. The Prime Minister will also engage with creators selected from the 32 Create in India Challenges, which attracted over 100,000 registrations.
He is expected to tour the Bharat Pavilion as well. At WAVES 2025, participation will come from more than 90 countries, with over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. The agenda includes 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses across various sectors like broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.
Maharashtra’s industry minister, Uday Samant, remarked on Monday that the event is organized by the Maharashtra government. “Mumbai, an international city, is recognized as the heart of Hindi cinema. Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, began Marathi films in Maharashtra. Thus, Mumbai stands as the nation’s leading city in entertainment. Moreover, Maharashtra has excelled in attracting foreign investment over the past three years,” he stated.
He further emphasized, “In terms of tourism, Maharashtra is competing with other nations. The goal is to present our states’ tourist attractions on a global platform. The central government has selected Mumbai to elevate the cultural, industrial, and tourism heritage of Maharashtra and its traditions worldwide.”
Uday Samant also mentioned that ministers and officials from 33 countries, along with CEOs from 120 international firms, will attend the event, alongside prominent actors and producers from the Bollywood, Tollywood, and Marathi film sectors. “This occasion is a chance to showcase Maharashtra’s cultural, industrial, and tourism sectors on a global stage,” he added.
