The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, held in Mumbai, has positioned India at the forefront of the global media and entertainment (M&E) industry. With participation from over 90 countries and more than 10,000 delegates, the summit underscored India’s ambition to become a global content powerhouse, aiming to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029.

Recognizing the potential of the creator economy, the Indian government announced a $1 billion fund to support digital content creators. This initiative aims to provide creators with access to capital, skill development opportunities, and global market reach. Additionally, the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) with a budget of Rs 391 crore will foster expertise in creative and digital technologies.

The summit featured an impressive lineup of industry leaders, including Mukesh Ambani, who outlined a vision for India to lead the global tech revolution in media. Other notable attendees included Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, and Instagram Head Adam Mosseri. Their presence highlighted India’s growing influence in the global streaming landscape.

A highlight of WAVES 2025 was the Bharat Pavilion, a 1,470 square meter installation themed “Kala to Code.” Divided into four interactive zones—Shruti (sound), Kriti (craft), Drishti (vision), and Creator’s Leap (future technologies)—the pavilion showcased India’s journey from traditional arts to cutting-edge digital innovation.

The ‘Create in India’ Challenge recognized 32 winners across various domains, including animation, gaming, filmmaking, AI, music, and digital art. Selected from over 1 lakh entries, including 1,100 international participants from 60 countries, these creators were honored for their contributions to India’s burgeoning creator economy.

WAVES 2025 has set the stage for India to emerge as a global leader in the media and entertainment industry. Through strategic investments, international collaborations, and a focus on nurturing creative talent, India is poised to redefine the global streaming landscape.

Key Highlights:

• India aims to unlock a $50 billion media and entertainment market by 2029, as highlighted at WAVES 2025.
• A $1 billion fund and the establishment of IICT will support the growth of the creator economy.
• Global industry leaders participated in the summit, emphasizing India’s rising influence in streaming.
• The ‘Create in India’ Challenge recognized 32 creators from over 1 lakh entries, showcasing India’s creative talent.