With participation from over 100 countries, 1 lakh+ visitors and business deals worth INR 10,000 crore, the summit has set a new benchmark for global creative ecosystems.
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, July 18, 2025:Bharat proudly hosted the 1st Edition of WORLD AUDIO VISUAL & ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT (WAVES), in May 2025. “At the heart of the WAVES, there is a strong commitment to building sustainable ecosystems for creators, whether in films, music, digital media, OTT, or immersive storytelling platforms. With representation from 100 countries, the Summit served as a dynamic forum for bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the Creative economy, “states the WAVES 2025 Outcome Report. The Outcome Reports of the first edition of World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) were released on Friday at the inauguration of the first campus of the ‘Indian Institute of Creative Technology’ (IICT) at NFDC Complex.
The formal unveiling of multiple reports and initiatives integral to the WAVES ecosystem, with focus on innovation, adoption, and global engagement, included:
These publications highlight the extraordinary dynamism and diversity of India’s M&E sector, spanning film, television, animation, gaming, immersive media, live events, music and digital content.
Notable Announcements
Government of Maharashtra signed INR 8,000 Crore of MoUs:
• INR 1,500 Crore – University of York: For establishment of its first campus in Mumbai, India
• INR 1,500 Crore – University of Western Australia
• INR 3,000 Crore – Prime Focus: Development of Film City of 200 acres
• INR 2,000 Crore – Godrej: For development of film television and media campus at Godrej City, Panvel
Launch of Nifty WAVES Index – 43 listed M&E companies
Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) signed MoUs to boost industry ties, internships, scholarships, startup funding, job opportunities, rendering parks, and game design education via collaboration with – • Google • Apple • Microsoft • Meta • Star India • Adobe • Toon Boom • HUION • WACOM • NVIDIA
Launch of the first Indian Film Festival in New Zealand At the 8th National Community Radio (CR) Conference during WAVES, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan honored 12 CR stations with National Community Radio Awards, highlighting innovation and inclusiveness. India has 531 CR stations, with over 400 representatives attending the conference New Indo-UK film collaborations and on-site movie production announcements
According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information, Technology Government of India, Content creation has shifted from traditional studios to agile, creator-led formats powered by compact tech and digital platforms. Today, content is both currency and catalyst. WAVES Summit 2025 brought together on a single platform leaders, innovators, and policymakers.
According to Dr. L. MURUGAN, Minister Of State For Information & Broadcasting And Parliamentary Affairs, the WAVES Summit 2025 has marked a historic milestone in India's journey to becoming a global epicentre of creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange. Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this landmark event has not only celebrated India's rich storytelling heritage but also positioned the nation as a torchbearer of the Orange Economy-where content, creativity, and culture converge to drive sustainable growth and global unity.
WAVES 2025, held in Mumbai from 1st to 4th May, was a testament to India's unwavering commitment to empowering creators, fostering cross-border collaborations, and harnessing cutting-edge technologies like AI, gaming, and immersive storytelling. With participation from over 100 countries, 1 lakh+ visitors and business deals worth INR 10,000 crore, the summit has set a new benchmark for global creative ecosystems. The resounding success of initiatives like the Create in India Challenge, WaveX for startups and the WAVES Bazaar underscores India's potential to lead the world in media, entertainment and digital innovation. As highlighted in this report, WAVES 2025 was more than a summit-it was a movement. From the inauguration of the Bharat Pavilion, which showcased India's diverse cultural tapestry, to the adoption of the WAVES Declaration, the event reinforced the transformative power of media as a force for social good, economic prosperity, and diplomatic synergy. The announcements of co-production treaties, the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), and investments in the creator economy reflect our government's resolve to build a future where every voice finds a global audience.
