The World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) is a global initiative designed to bring together creative minds from across the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry under one platform. Hosted by India, the summit will take place from May 1 to 4 at Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre and Jio World Garden.

WAVES aims to foster collaboration, showcase talent, and facilitate networking opportunities for professionals in television, radio, news media, music, advertising, animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, social media, online content creation, artificial intelligence, film, OTT platforms, and exhibition sectors.

The summit was officially announced in Bangladesh at a launch event held at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka, today, alongside a discussion celebrating 111 years of Indian cinema. The event, organised by the High Commission of India in Dhaka, highlighted the objectives and potential global impact of WAVES. Ann Mary George, first secretary (Culture) at the High Commission of India, shared the vision for WAVES, stating, "We aim to make this an annual event, much like the World Economic Summit in Davos or the Raisina Dialogue for foreign policy. This will be a landmark platform for media and entertainment."

She further emphasised the diversity of WAVES, which will encompass news and media, television, radio, advertising, and live events. "The summit will also showcase key segments of the AVGC industry, including animation, gaming, comics, visual effects, augmented and virtual reality, and the metaverse. The growing influence of digital media will also be explored, covering social media, OTT platforms, online creators, generative AI, and the booming app economy. The film industry, spanning documentaries, short films, production, post-production, distribution, and exhibition, will play a significant role in the discussions and showcases."

The four-day programme will feature high-profile events, including the Global Media Dialogue, where ministers and policymakers will engage in discussions, and the M&E CEO Roundtable, bringing together industry leaders to strategise on the future of media and entertainment. The WAVES Awards will celebrate excellence in various fields, recognising outstanding contributions with accolades such as the Annual Contribution Award and the Greatest of All Time Award for legendary achievements. In addition, masterclasses and workshops will be led by industry experts, while international challenges will provide a platform for creative and technical competitions.

Cultural performances will be a major highlight, blending classical and fusion arts, alongside cultural evenings with celebrities attending the summit from across the world. A dedicated Bharat Pavilion & Exhibition will showcase India's media landscape, while the WAVES Bazaar will serve as an e-marketplace for the global M&E industry. The summit will also include a Prime Minister-Level Roundtable, a closed-door session for policymakers and government representatives from various countries, further underlining its significance as a global event.

Bangladesh's Media and Entertainment industry is already showing keen interest in WAVES, with prominent figures participating in discussions on the evolving landscape of Indian and Bangladeshi filmmaking. These interactions explored avenues for deeper cross-border collaboration, strengthening the creative and commercial ties between the two industries.

WAVES positions itself as a transformative global platform, paving the way for innovation, artistic excellence, and international partnerships. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the summit aspires to become a defining event that shapes the future of the industry. With its ambitious vision and diverse programme, WAVES is set to redefine the global Media and Entertainment ecosystem.

There will be masterclasses and workshops as well, providing a learning opportunity for enthusiasts from the best in the world. There will be performances featuring traditional, classical, and modern music.

The summit also offers prospects for startups, creating opportunities for those seeking sponsors. It invites everyone from the entertainment and media sector who is looking for a wide range of exchanges and opportunities for their endeavours.

There will be an exhibition called the "Bharat Pavilion"; however, there will also be spaces for other participants, and different countries can book their own pavilions.

Lastly, the summit will launch the WAVES Bazaar, as explained by Ann Mary George, "If you want to make a film and are looking for a colourist, this platform will help connect you with the right professionals for your production. It will also help you sell what you have to offer to the film industry."

The exhibition showcases the legacy of Indian cinema in celebration of its 111-year journey.

Referring to this as the beginning of a revolutionary idea, Ann Mary George mentioned that competitions have been open to participants from across the globe. There are 22 challenges for international participants, including the radio content challenge, Ustad for classical music, Battle of Bands, Medium for electronic music, an animation contest, the Young Filmmaker Challenge, and the Film Poster Designer Challenge. Some of these competitions have already concluded, while others are ongoing. Details can be found on their website.

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