India Welcomes the World to Mumbai Hosting WAVES 2025
India is set to host World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit 2025, its largest and most ambitious Media and Entertainment (M&E) summit, from May 1 to 4 in Mumbai. This landmark event marks a major milestone in India’s rise as a global media powerhouse. Organized on the lines of international forums like Davos and Cannes, WAVES 2025 aims to unite the full spectrum of the M&E industry—including films, OTT platforms, gaming, comics, AI, digital media, AVGC-XR, and emerging technologies—under one roof.
Significance: Shaping the Future of Global Media
WAVES 2025 is more than just a convention—it’s a strategic move to position India as a global hub for media and entertainment. With the Indian M&E industry projected to reach $50 billion by 2029, the summit is expected to be a catalyst for international collaboration, innovation, and industry transformation.
At the core of the summit is India’s storytelling legacy—from ancient epics to modern cinema. WAVES 2025 will celebrate this heritage while advancing future-facing narratives powered by AI, immersive tech, and digital platforms.
Major highlights include:
- A roundtable with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top global CEOs
- The Global Media Dialogue with key policymakers
- Plenary sessions featuring global thought leaders discussing trends, challenges, and opportunities in the M&E space
The event will conclude with the release of the WAVES Declaration 2025, setting a shared roadmap for the future of global media.
Benefits: A Game-Changer for India’s M&E Ecosystem
1. Global Exposure and Investment
WAVES 2025 will create a global marketplace for content and partnerships through platforms like:
- WAVES Exhibition – showcasing tech and innovations from India and abroad
- WAVES Bazaar and its year-round e-bazaar – promoting international trade and collaboration
- WaveXcelerator – enabling startups to pitch to investors in real-time
2. Empowering Creators and Innovators
The summit will nurture young talent through initiatives such as the “Create in India Challenge”, giving creators a global stage and access to mentorship, funding, and visibility.
3. Celebrating Culture and Creativity
The Bharat Pavilion will offer an immersive look at India’s storytelling evolution—across print, audio, and visual formats. Meanwhile, CreatoSphere will feature:
- Gaming arenas
- Masterclasses and workshops
- The grand finale of the Create in India Challenge
Cultural showcases under WAVES Cultural will include:
- Live concerts
- Classical and fusion performances
- Celebrations of India’s rich artistic and musical heritage
4. Driving Technological Advancement
With a strong focus on AI, VR, and immersive storytelling, WAVES 2025 will encourage the industry to embrace innovation, adopt emerging tools, and shape the next generation of content creation.
5. Strengthening the Workforce and Ecosystem
By highlighting areas like financing, IP development, animation, music, and tech integration, the summit is expected to:
- Attract global and domestic investment
- Build a future-ready workforce
- Increase India’s contribution to the global creative economy
WAVES 2025 is not just a celebration—it’s a strategic initiative to redefine India’s role in the global media landscape. With collaboration, innovation, and storytelling at its heart, it promises to set the tone for the future of entertainment worldwide.