Maharashtra Launches MIDCCA Association at Animation and More (AM) Summit 2024
The fifth edition of the Animation and More (AM) Summit saw a major announcement: the launch of Maharashtra’s AVGCE-XR association. This new association, named the Maharashtra Immersive Digital Content Creators Association (MIDCCA), is dedicated to supporting the animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, education, and extended reality (XR) industries in the state.
The official launch of MIDCCA took place at the AM Summit 2024, with Maharashtra’s development commissioner (Industries) and chairman of the Maharashtra Industry, Trade & Investment Facilitation Cell (MAITRI), Deependra Singh Kushwah, IAS, leading the event.
He was accompanied by Ashish Kulkarni, chairman of the FICCI AVGC-XR Forum and founder of Punnaryug Artvision, as well as Anil NM Wanvari, founder and editor-in-chief of AnimationXpress. These industry leaders came together to highlight the importance of MIDCCA in driving growth for digital content creators in Maharashtra.
A Growing Economic Hub
In his speech at the summit, Deependra Singh Kushwah shared Maharashtra’s impressive economic progress. The state’s economy has surpassed $500 billion, and its goal is to reach $1 trillion by 2030. He also pointed out that for the past two years, Maharashtra has been the top state in India for receiving foreign direct investment (FDI).
Kushwah emphasized that Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra, has the potential to become a global hub for the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) industry. He noted that the state’s IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) policy includes a strong focus on the AVGC sector. According to him, Maharashtra is committed to supporting this industry’s growth and innovation.
A New AVGC Policy on the Horizon
To further boost the AVGC sector, Kushwah announced that Maharashtra would introduce a dedicated AVGC policy within the next two to three months. This policy aims to provide tailored support to the AVGC industry and help it flourish in the state.
The AVGC industry is seen as a key driver of Maharashtra’s economic growth, with a special focus on creating new opportunities and expanding digital content creation in the state.
Support from Industry Leaders
The launch of MIDCCA is expected to bring together professionals from across the animation, gaming, and XR industries, offering them a platform to collaborate, innovate, and grow. The involvement of key figures like Ashish Kulkarni and Anil NM Wanvari highlights the importance of this initiative in shaping the future of immersive digital content in Maharashtra.
Kulkarni, a leader in India’s AVGC industry, expressed his excitement about the new association, noting that MIDCCA will play a significant role in helping local creators gain global recognition. Wanvari also spoke about the association’s potential to drive collaboration between artists, businesses, and policymakers.
Conclusion
The launch of the Maharashtra Immersive Digital Content Creators Association (MIDCCA) marks an important milestone for the state’s growing AVGC industry.
With a strong commitment from the state government and the involvement of key industry figures, Maharashtra is positioning itself as a leading hub for animation, gaming, visual effects, and XR content. As the state prepares to introduce a dedicated AVGC policy, the future looks bright for digital content creators in Maharashtra.
