A groundbreaking collaboration has emerged in India's creative industries landscape. Comic Con India and the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership focuses on advancing talent development across animation, gaming, comics, and extended reality sectors.
First-of-Its-Kind Agreement Signed in Mumbai
The historic Comic Con India IICT partnership was formalized during a significant ceremony. The MoU signing took place at the IICT-NFDC Campus inauguration in Mumbai on July 23, 2025. Furthermore, the event coincided with the release of the WAVES Outcome Report.
Ashish Kulkarni, Board Member of IICT, represented the institute during the signing. Meanwhile, Shefali Johnson, CEO of Comic Con India, signed on behalf of her organization.
Distinguished Government Leaders Attend Launch Event
Several senior government officials witnessed this milestone collaboration. Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, attended the ceremony. Additionally, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Honourable Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology participated.
Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, also graced the event. Consequently, the partnership received significant government recognition and support.
Comic Con India: Premier Pop Culture Platform
Comic Con India stands as the country's leading pop culture celebration. The platform serves millions of fans across comics, gaming, animation, cosplay, and movies. Since its inception, the event has evolved into a cultural phenomenon.
The organization now operates under NODWIN Gaming's portfolio of youth-focused intellectual properties. Moreover, Comic Con India champions original content and homegrown talent development. Therefore, it plays a pivotal role in shaping India's pop culture landscape.
IICT: National Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies represents a significant educational initiative. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced IICT in May 2025. Furthermore, the institute operates in collaboration with industry bodies FICCI and CII.
IICT follows the successful model of India's prestigious IITs and IIMs. Consequently, it offers world-class education and training in creative disciplines. The institute specifically focuses on the AVGC-XR sector exclusively.
Strategic Partnership Objectives and Vision
This Comic Con India IICT partnership combines complementary strengths effectively. Comic Con India brings its legacy of creator-focused platforms. Meanwhile, IICT contributes its national mandate for talent development across creative disciplines.
The collaboration aims to provide students with immersive industry opportunities. Additionally, participants will engage directly with industry leaders and real-world creative environments.
Key Partnership Initiatives and Programs
The MoU outlines several specific collaboration areas:
Student Engagement Opportunities: IICT students will participate in Comic Con India events. A dedicated IICT Creative Showcase zone will highlight student work.
Educational Enhancement Programs: Industry professionals will conduct masterclasses and guest lectures. These sessions will cover comics, gaming, animation, and XR fields.
Creative Development Activities: Hackathons and design jams will promote original intellectual property development. Content showcases will provide platforms for student creativity.
Professional Experience Programs: IICT students will access internships at Comic Con India. Behind-the-scenes learning opportunities will provide practical industry exposure.
Grassroots Creator Support: Initiatives will focus on youth engagement and fan art development. Independent content creation will receive dedicated support.
Leadership Vision for Industry Growth
Shefali Johnson expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential impact. She emphasized the collaboration's role in nurturing homegrown creative talent, particularly in comics. The CEO highlighted meaningful pathways for direct industry engagement.
Students will gain valuable mentorship from leading creators and professionals. Furthermore, they will connect with the broader pop culture community. Therefore, participants will enhance their creative skills and understand commercial aspects.
Johnson also mentioned curriculum development contributions. The partnership aims to reflect practical industry needs effectively. Consequently, students will prepare confidently for professional careers.
Building Global Competitive Advantage
Ashish Kulkarni outlined IICT's ambitious global vision. The institute aims to make India a global hub for creative content creation. Additionally, IICT focuses on building leadership through Indigenous Intellectual Property.
The partnership aligns with the government's AVGC-XR vision perfectly. It will build a globally competitive talent pool effectively. Therefore, Indian creators will make their mark internationally.
Together, the organizations plan to build a vibrant talent pipeline. This includes storytellers, innovators, creators, publishers, and cultural ambassadors. Moreover, they will carve pathways for Indigenous IPs using transmedia ecosystems.
Market Growth and Employment Opportunities
According to the FX & Beyond: Shaping India's AVGC Landscape report, India's AVGC-XR sector represents nearly 20% of the broader media and entertainment industry.
Revenues are expected to grow from approximately US $3.9 billion in 2023 to US $6.8 billion by 2026. The sector is projected to generate over 160,000 new jobs annually. Furthermore, it aims to build toward more than 2 million direct jobs by 2030.
Future Program Announcements Expected
The Comic Con India IICT partnership reflects shared commitment to talent development. Both organizations prioritize IP creation acceleration and sustainable professional pipelines.
Specific programs and activations under the agreement will be announced soon. Therefore, stakeholders can expect detailed implementation plans in the coming months.
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