Bengaluru GAFX 2025 Concludes with a Resounding Success, Strengthening India’s AVGC-XR Ecosystem
Highlights:
- Karnataka is set to host an Esports Summit, and a Game Developers Conference this year. These events will foster innovation, nurture talent, and drive the growth of esports and game development in the region.
- Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle Comics announced the prestigious ‘GAFX Uncle Pai Promising New Creator Award.’
- The Skyesports Souvenir 2025 National Esports Championship at Bengaluru GAFX 2025 showcased India’s finest gaming talent, with four elite teams competing for a ₹5 lakh prize pool. The Home Team Gods Reign was crowned champion, while Aakash Bose aka “PH1NNN” earned the MVP title for his stellar performance.
- Under Product launch this year’s GAFX witnessed: Digital Detox Center by All India Gaming Federation launch at GAFX 2025.
- Cine Star Rana Daggubati unveiled Suppandi’s animated debut at GAFX 2025; set to stream on PowerKids TV.
- A key partnership between Green Gold Animation (India) and TG Entertainment (UK) was announced to expand the Brilliant World of Tom Gates franchise in India and South Asia, focusing on licensing, merchandising, and animation production.
- The AnimationXpress GEM Awards 2025 celebrated excellence in gaming, esports, and the metaverse, recognizing top developers, studios, and industry personalities.
- This year’s Investor Connect Program saw robust participation, with 29 investors from 22 companies engaging with 34 startups from across the AVGC ecosystem.
- An MoU was signed between Uzbekistan and ABAI to enhance international collaboration in the AVGC-XR sector. As part of this agreement, a delegation from Karnataka will participate in an event in Uzbekistan, while a larger delegation from Uzbekistan is set to visit Karnataka next year, strengthening global industry connections and knowledge exchange.
- The ABAI AVGC Centre of Excellence (CoE) and Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) signed an MoU to drive skilling, incubation, innovation, and policy development in the AVGC sector.
- The B2B Forum at Bengaluru GAFX 2025 facilitated 395 LOIs business meetings, featuring 15 top buyers, 39 participating companies, and 40 IPs showcased, key investments and collaborations in the AVGC-XR industry.
Bengaluru, 1st March 2025 : The three-day Bengaluru GAFX 2025, organized by the Department of E, IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka, and ABAI at the Lalit Ashok, concluded marking a resounding success. Themed ‘Future of Immersion: EXPERIENCE. EXPLORE. DISRUPT event set new benchmarks in the industry with groundbreaking partnerships, insightful discussions, and a thriving platform for startups and investors. The event reaffirmed Karnataka’s position as the world’s leading hub for AVGC-XR and a key driver of India’s global leadership in immersive media and entertainment.
Addressing the audience at the valedictory function, Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka said, “Karnataka is not just the IT, biotech, and skill capital of India—we are on our way to becoming the global creative capital. The AVGC-XR sector is no longer just about entertainment; it is a powerful economic force driving innovation, employment, and global influence. Our focus is on skill development, reskilling, and cross-skilling through initiatives like Nipuna Karnataka, ensuring our talent competes on a global stage. We are investing in incubators, Centers of Excellence, and original IP creation to position Karnataka as a leader in animation, gaming, VFX, and XR. The success of global brands like Disney and Marvel proves the potential of intellectual property, and it’s time for India to create its own. This year, Karnataka will host an Esports Summit and a Game Developers Conference, marking a major step in strengthening our gaming ecosystem. The Esports Summit will hone the skills of gaming enthusiasts, putting Karnataka on the global competitive gaming map. The Game Developers Conference will bring together innovators, creators, and industry leaders to push the boundaries of game design and original IP development. With these initiatives, Karnataka is laying the foundation for a future where we don’t just provide services but create world-class content and technology. With the right policies, incentives, and vision, we will transform India into a global hub for creative technology. The future belongs to those who innovate, and Karnataka is ready to set new benchmarks for the world.”
Delivering the special address at the valedictory function, Mr. Biren Ghose, Chairman, Bengaluru GAFX & President, ABAI said, “ABAI is proud of how every constituency in AVGC – XR has come together to create a spectacular Bengaluru GAFX 2025. Our vision to explore the Future of Immersion has been realised. There are tangible outcomes that will be an accelerator for India’s creative technology industries. The support of the Department of ITBT, Government of Karnataka, has been instrumental in continuing to catapult this industry to global excellence. GAFX 2025 has succeeded in providing rich exploration, creating never-before experiences and highlighting the disruption that will enable studios, startups, and talent to make a lasting impact on the global stage.”
The Bengaluru GAFX 2025 has been a global standout, with 5000+ footfalls per day and 15+ state association participants with 50+ exhibitors. The three-day event witnessed 10+ countries in 100+ sessions with insights from 200 speakers. The event facilitated 395 LOI business interactions between 15 prominent buyers and 40 sellers with IPs. Additionally, the event also facilitated the signing of 10+ Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). Digital Detox Center by the All-India Gaming Federation was also launched at GAFX 2025. The event also saw participants from 150 colleges, 500 nationwide students for different competitions, 20+ national & international, and 10 muse artists for Sketch Alley. A total prize money of ₹10 lakh, along with goodies, was awarded to participants.
B2B Forum emerged as a premier networking and business matchmaking platform, driving meaningful collaborations within the AVGC-XR industry. The forum created a structured space for content creators, studios, and AVGC startups to pitch their projects to global buyers and investors. The event saw significant interest from investors in select IPs, paving the way for further discussions and future collaborations. Strengthening Bengaluru GAFX’s role as India’s leading business hub for AVGC, the B2B Forum successfully fostered new partnerships, investment opportunities, and industry growth.
The event witnessed groundbreaking collaborations, industry-shaping discussions, and dynamic showcases that set the stage for the future of animation, gaming, VFX, and comics in India. Industry veterans and thought leaders, and esteemed Indian accolades, actively participated, emphasizing the transformative potential of technological advancements. Bengaluru GAFX stands out as a unique event in the AVGC industry, facilitating the convergence of Indian and international synergy. Both international and Indian studios, along with industry veterans, presented some of the largest and most critically acclaimed titles during the event.
The Summary of Three-Day Bengaluru GAFX, 2025
- At GAFX 2025, Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle Comics, in collaboration with Zebu Animation, unveiled the highly anticipated animated debut of Suppandi, one of India’s most beloved comic characters. The grand reveal, led by cine actor Rana Daggubati, was met with enthusiasm from fans and industry professionals alike. Adding to the excitement, it was also announced that WingStar, Tinkle’s young female superhero, will soon make her animated debut. The launch marks a major milestone in Indian animation, with Suppandi’s adventures set to premiere on PowerKids TV, one of the leading YouTube channels for kids’ content. This initiative reinforces Amar Chitra Katha’s commitment to transmedia storytelling, bringing iconic Indian characters to new audiences in innovative formats.
- At GAFX 2025, Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle Comics launched the GAFX Uncle Pai Promising New Creator Award, a prestigious annual honour dedicated to recognizing and nurturing emerging comic book creators. Named after Uncle Pai, the visionary behind Indian comics, the award celebrates fresh talent in children’s storytelling. The inaugural recipient, Mahati Santhanakrishnan, was recognized for her comic “Hunting Monsters,” reflecting her passion for mythology and illustration. As part of the award, Mahati will receive a rolling trophy, an independent comic book publication by Amar Chitra Katha, serialization in Tinkle Magazine, and a one-month internship at Tinkle Comics. This initiative reaffirms Amar Chitra Katha’s commitment to fostering new talent and shaping the future of Indian comics.
- At Bengaluru GAFX 2025, the Skyesports Souvenir 2025 National Esports Championship brought together the best gaming talent from across India through open qualifiers, culminating in an electrifying grand finale at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru. The top four teams battled it out on a grand stage for the coveted national champion title, with a prize pool of INR 5 lakhs adding to the high-stakes competition. The Home Team Gods Reign was crowned champion, while Aakash Bose aka “PH1NNN” earned the MVP title for his stellar performance.
The tournament featured Counterstrike 2, a game that has also been confirmed as a title in the Olympic Esports Games 2026, further elevating the significance of the championship. With intense matchups, top-tier gameplay, and an enthusiastic audience, the event reinforced India’s growing presence in the global esports ecosystem.
- One of the key highlights of GAFX 2025 was the Investor Connect Program, an initiative aimed at bridging the gap between startups and potential investors. Understanding the challenges that startups face in securing funding, scaling operations, and accessing global markets, the program provided a structured platform for direct engagement with investors. This year’s Investor Connect Program saw robust participation, with 29 investors from 22 companies engaging with 34 startups from across the AVGC ecosystem. The platform facilitated high-impact discussions, pitching sessions, and networking opportunities that helped emerging ventures secure crucial funding and mentorship.
- Additionally, a key partnership between Green Gold Animation, India, and TG Entertainment, UK, was announced to expand the Brilliant World of Tom Gates franchise in India and South Asia, focusing on licensing, merchandising, and animation production. Further strengthening industry collaboration, an MoU was signed between the ABAI AVGC Centre of Excellence (CoE) and the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) to enhance skilling, reskilling, upskilling, incubation, innovation, and policy development in the AVGC sector, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for the industry.
- The event also celebrated industry excellence with the AnimationXpress GEM Awards 2025 recognizing excellence in gaming, esports, and the metaverse, recognizing top developers, studios, and personalities. Key categories included Gaming, Metaverse & Technology, and Esports. Notable winners were Bloom – A Puzzle Adventure (Best Casual Game), Indus Battle Royale (Best Mobile Game), and 1971: Indian Naval Front (Best Hardcore Game). SuperGaming won Game Studio of the Year, while Lucid Labs was named Best Indie Studio. In esports, Jonathan “Jonathan Gaming” Amaral was Esports Athlete of the Year, and GodLike Esports won Esports Organization of the Year. Tamil Nadu was honored for its contribution to Indian esports, and Battlegrounds Mobile India was the Most Trending Game.
The ABAI AVGC Centre of Excellence (CoE) and Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) signed an MoU at GAFX 2025, forging a strategic collaboration to advance skilling, incubation, innovation, and policy development in the AVGC sector. MESC will design training programs, address skill gaps, and uphold quality standards, while ABAI AVGC CoE will provide cutting-edge infrastructure, support startups, and drive research and innovation. This non-financial, three-year partnership ensures industry-relevant learning and technological growth, with confidentiality maintained on proprietary information.
- At GAFX 2025, the Karnataka AVGC Policy 2024-2029 workshop, led by Ms. Archana C, KAS, General Manager, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, outlined the state’s vision for Animation, VFX, Gaming, and Comics. Karnataka, which holds 20% of India’s Media & Entertainment market, is home to specialized institutes, 27 Digital Art Centres, and an AVGC-XR Finishing School that has trained over 842 students. The policy focuses on skilling, startup support, infrastructure development, IP protection, production grants, and global market expansion. Ms. Archana highlighted the sector’s rapid growth and encouraged professionals to explore government initiatives for greater innovation and success. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A session.
- At the event, the session “Bringing Moana 2 to Life: The Filmmaking Process” offered an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the film’s creation. It covered extensive research in the Pacific Islands for cultural authenticity, collaborative efforts in storyboarding, visual development, and character design, and insights into the storyline set three years after the original. The session also showcased Disney’s advanced technology, including Tonic for hair grooming, 2D animation for Maui’s tattoos, and enhanced crowd simulation, along with the role of lighting, color correction, and production management in crafting an immersive experience.
- In the session Future Frames: Showcasing Karnataka’s Rising AVGC Startups, industry leaders shared their entrepreneurial journeys and discussed the evolving AVGC landscape in Karnataka. Moderated by B. S. Srinivas, the panel featured Vivek Reddy (Viga Entertainment), Prince Thomas (MetaShot), Rajat Divate (Mountain Flower), and Vivek Bolar (Aum Studio). The discussion highlighted the crucial role of government support, particularly the Elevate Grant and the 3rd AVGC Policy (2024-2029), in fostering innovation and growth. Panellists explored how AI is transforming the AVGC sector, the challenges of bootstrapping from Tier-2 cities, and the resilience required to overcome failures. Srinivas emphasized Karnataka’s commitment to empowering startups, while Vivek Reddy shared his experience of relocating from Los Angeles to India, expressing gratitude for government initiatives that have helped unlock job opportunities in the industry.
With the successful conclusion of GAFX 2025, Karnataka has further cemented its position as a global hub for AVGC-XR innovation. The event catalysed collaborations, investments, and technological advancements, driving the industry forward. Notably, the Investor Connect Program played a pivotal role in strengthening the startup ecosystem, ensuring that India continues to lead in the evolution of the AVGC-XR sector on the world stage.
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