Indian animation industry

The Indian animation industry encompasses both 2D traditional, and 3D animation, as well as visual effects for feature films. In 1956, Disney Studios animator Clair Weeks, who had worked on Bambi, was invited to Films Division of India in Mumbai to establish and train the country's first animation studio as part of the American Technical Co-Operation mission. He trained a core group of Indian animators, whose first production was a film called The Banyan Deer (1957). Veteran animator Ram Mohan started his career at Films Division's Cartoon Unit.

Another landmark animated film from Films Division is "Ek Anek Aur Ekta", a short traditionally animated short educational film released in 1974. The film is presented as a fable meant to teach children the value of unity, and was frequently broadcast on India's state-run television station, Doordarshan. The first Indian animated television series is Ghayab Aaya, aired in 1986 and directed by Suddhasattwa Basu. The first Indian 3D and VFX was done for television series Captain Vyom by Animation.

The first Indian 3D animated film was Roadside Romeo, which was a joint venture between Yash Raj Films and the Indian division of the Walt Disney Company. It was written and directed by Jugal Hansraj.

Awards and festivals

24FPS Animation Awards is a celebration of animation excellence and recognition of the best animation talent in India. Organized with the aim of creating a platform that motivates, hones and showcases Indian animation and student talent. Annually held 24FPS Animation Awards is amongst the premier animation competitions in the country. It is organized by Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC) . The 24FPS Animation Award 2005-06 had more than 250 students that participated from across India. 24FPS acts as a catalyst to bring the students & studios at one platform wherein the students showcase their skills in front of the top industry professionals and studios, which in turn acts as a placement platform for the students.

Anifest India is an annually held animation festival with an education track. The focus is on technical and hands-on presentations with case studies from top professionals across holistic disciplines of art, animation and filmmaking. On the education side, premier schools and educators from all over India and overseas present their approach and viewpoints. The best student, faculty and professional films get showcased at the TASI Viewers Choice Awards (TVCA), an audience award which for many attendees is their first taste of attending a film festival and voting. Over three thousand people attend the festival which in recent years has spanned three entire days.

Annual Graphics and Animation Film Awards (AGAFA) is a new initiative of the Society for Animation in Delhi (SAID), instituted in 2013 with the objective of encouraging quality and creative production of Animation and related arts. The awards are given on the results of an annual competition in the field of thematic Graphic Design, Digital Painting and "Animation with a purpose". The Jury is independent and selected from among eminent arts personalities in these fields.

Societies and organizations

The Animation Society of India (TASI) is a non-profit organization with its head-office in Mumbai. It aims to educate about the emerging animation technologies and at the same time provide a platform for exchange of creative and technical information within the existing art and animation fraternity in India. It also hosts Anifest India, the biggest annual animation festival in the Indian subcontinent, which features the TASI Viewer's Choice Awards. It also hold technical and in-depth workshops and sessions nearly every month.

ABAI (Association of Bangalore Animation Industry), with its head office in Bangalore is another active association focusing on the AVGC markets (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics). ABAI has not only helped bring out the first ever AVGC policy in the country in 2012 through Government of Karnataka, IT, BT & S&T Department but also continues to work closely with the State Government for programmed such as TTT (Train The Trainer), DAC (Digitalization of Art Colleges) and setting up of State of the Art AVGC Lab in Bangalore. ABAI also holds an annual summit â€" KAVGC Summit, an annual fest â€" ABAI Fest and various technical workshops and seminars throughout the year to further the cause of AVGC.

The Society for Animation in Delhi (SAID) is a non-profit body of independent, voluntary, enthusiastic artists of animation and related arts, registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860. Its primary mission is to encourage production of quality animation and creation of IP, graphic assets, and help in developing an animator-friendly eco-system for the purpose. SAID holds numerous events within the animation community â€"GURUMANTRA (an interaction between learners of animation and industry experts on selected subject); Eco-system Roundup (Industry meetup platform to discuss ways and means of making production happen and developments affecting the animation ecosystem); Mehfil-e-Animation (a Members-only event for critical review of an animation film, show-reel preview and pre-dinner talk on select subject); visits to institutions and studios; and Competitions in Graphic Design, Digital Painting and Animation Films leading to the Annual Graphics and Animation Film Awards - AGAFA, the first of which is in December 2013.

Market

The Indian animation industry was estimated at $354 million in 2006 and was forecast to reach $869 million by 2010. Animation in India is currently riding on two key factors â€" a large base of highly skilled labour, and low cost of production. While the industry is gaining prominence steadily, several important factors such as the government's role in supporting the animation industry, and producing original content locally.

In 2009, the state of the animation industry in India, was growing at a CAGR of 30%, is estimated to reach US$ 1.5 billion by 2015.

Some of the other estimates of the NASSCOM report on animation indicate the following:

• The global entertainment market will generate a demand for animation production services of the order of US$ 37 billion by 2003
• In the non-entertainment segment the demand for animation production services will touch US$ 14.7 billion by 2015
• The global film/TV program production market will create a US $ 17.5 billion revenue opportunity for animation production houses
• The Indian gaming industry was estimated at nearly $48 million in 2006 and is expected to cross $424 million by 2010.

Pune, is competing with Hyderabad and Mumbai to be the country's animation hub. With the sector facing severe human resources shortage, more and more studios are increasingly venturing into animation training. Chetan Deshmukh, an animator and special effects expert, recently shifted his base to Pune from US. He has worked on Hollywood movies like Chicago and Shanghai Knights. The Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), a premier body of industries in and around Pune region has launched a programme to catapult Pune as a global hub for animation and gaming. It has recently formed a group of professionals, training institutes and celebrities to implement the initiative, with filmmaker Amol Palekar as their brand ambassador.

Comparison with the global scenario

The total global animation production figures, according to the NASSCOM Animation report, range between US$16â€"31.5 billion for the year 2000. Statistics for 2001 stand anywhere between US$ 25 billion and US$ 38 billion. Analysts estimate that the global animation production rose to about US$ 45 billion in 2002.

Animation studio companies in India

Animation studios in India including television channels and production studios.

• Again Studios Pvt. Ltd.
• Buena Vista International India
• DQ Entertainment
• Oeuvreglobe Studios Pvt.Ltd.
• Technicolor India
• Prana Studios
• BIMBAM Creative Solutions Pvt Ltd
• Makuta Animation
• Dreamworks Dedicated Unit
• Cartoon Network (India)
• Green Gold Animation(India)
• Future Thought Productions
• HappyCloud Studios Pvt Ltd
• Reliance MediaWorks Ltd
• Tiara Motion
• Toonz India Ltd
• Tata Elxsi
• Pentamedia Graphics
• Crest Animation Studios
• Disney India
• Turner International India
• Artha Animation
• Interactive Realities International Pvt. Ltd.

List of Indian Animated Movies

There are 130+ animated movies which were released in India from The Banyan Deer ( The first animated movie of India ) till today. The following animated movies are the thearical release in India.

• Tinkerbell(2008)
• Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure(2009)
• Tinkerbell The Great Fairy Rescue(2010)
• Tinkerbell Secrets of the Wings(2012)
• Ninja hattori vs samurai shine(2008)
• Ninja hattori and Friends in BLACK THUNDER WORLD First biggest and longest interesting movie in world animated movie history (2013)
• The Banyan Deer (1957)
• Ek Anek Aur Ekta (1974)
• Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1992)
• Pandavas - The Five Warriors (2000)
• Bhagmati - The Queen of Fortune First Live Action Animated Feature Film (2005)
• Hanuman (2005)
• The legend of Lord Buddha (animated film) (2005)
• Kittu (2006)
• Krishna (2006)
• Inimey Nangathan (2007)
• Return of Hanuman (2007)
• Roadside Romeo (2008)
• Dashavatar (2008 film) (2008)
• Ghatothkach (2008)
• Cheenti Cheenti Bang Bang (2008)
• Jumbo (2008)
• Bal Ganesh (2007)
• Lav Kush - The Warrior Twins (2010)
• Toonpur Ka Superrhero (2010)
• Ramayana: The Epic (2010)
• Koochie Koochie Hota Hain (2011)
• Alibaba Aur 41 Chor (2011)
• Arjun â€" The Warrior Prince (2012)
• Krishna Aur Kans (2012)
• Delhi Safari (2012)
• My home is Green (2011)
• Chintu Skool (2011)
• Sons of Ram (2012)
• Once Upon a Time (2013 film) (2013)
• Mahabharat (2013 film) (2013)
• Bal Ganesh 2 (2009)
• Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan (2012)
• Chhota Bheem and the Throne of Bali (2013)
• Super K - The Movie (2011)
• Lava Kusa: The Warrior Twins (2010)
• Baru The Wonder Kid (2010)
• The Green Chic - Finding Dad (2011)
• Crackers (2011 film) (2011)
• Pangaa Gang (2010)
• Mighty Raju : Rio Calling (2014)
• Kochadaiyan (2014)
• Chaar Sahibzaade (2014)

List of animated TV series produced in India

• Akbar and Birbal : It was aired on Hungama TV. It showed the wisdom of Mughal Emperor Akbar's minister Birbal.
• The Adventures of Tenali Raman : The Adventures of Tenali Raman (26 X 11 min) is India's first animated 2D television series by Toonz Animation India. This series has another version which was broadcast between 2009-2010
• Little Krishna : 13 episodes 3D animated series produced for global audience by BIG Animation (I) Pvt. Ltd. and The Indian Heritage Foundation in both languages Hindi and English. Aired on Nickelodeon on May 2009.
• Chhota Bheem : Super hit series on Pogo 'Chhota Bheem' produced by Green Gold(co-production with Turner International). It started as a 13-episode TV series, and based on the popularity it got extended and till date more than 312 episodes were delivered and work is underway on more episodes.
• Krishna Balram : 26 stories, of 22 minutes duration each, follow through the capers of Krishna, Balram and Radha. Once again by Green Gold Animation. This series aired on Cartoon Network.
• Shaktimaan Animated : It is the animated version of the hugely successful Shaktimaan series of the 1990s. The animated series is aired on SONIC.
• Motu Patlu : It is a huge successful 3d cartoon broadcast by Nickelodeon India. It is based on Lotpot comics.
• Paramananda Shishyulu : It is a 2D animated version of day-today funny stories of humorous characters got telecasted in MAA Junior TV with 26 Episode, developed by GS Digital Dream Designers Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad, India.
• Vir The Robot Boy
• The New Adventures of Hanuman
• Chorr police
• Roll No 21
• Keymon Ache
• Kumbh Karan
• Luv Kush
• Pakdam Pakdai
• Suraj - The Rising Star
• Chatur Chetan
• Chamatkari Telephone