Mumbai witnessed a spectacular celebration of talent and creativity as MAAC (Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity) hosted the 21st edition of the 24FPS International Animation Awards on December 13, 2024. Held at the prestigious Hotel Sahara Star, the event brought together over a thousand luminaries from the Media & Entertainment industry, shining a spotlight on the exceptional contributions of artists from India and across the globe.
With over 6,000 students participating in 40+ categories and more than 1,500 independent entries from 100 countries, the awards once again solidified their reputation as the pinnacle of recognition in the Animation, VFX, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) industry. The event celebrated creativity on a grand scale, drawing attention to the impressive works of students, professionals, and renowned studios.
The 24FPS International Animation Awards, a marquee event in the AVGC sector, showcased the artistic excellence of participants from countries like Vietnam, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Japan, and Germany. Over 400 attendees, including industry leaders and professionals, witnessed the awards, which honored works in categories such as Best 3D Animated Short Film, Best VFX Film, Digital Filmmaking, 3D Game Assets, and AI Digital Comics.
The awards ceremony also featured a special ‘Movers and Shakers’ category, recognizing influencers like Jashwanth Bopanna as the ‘Reality TV Icon of the Year’ and Vishakha & Divesh as the ‘Emerging Couple Content Creators, 2024.’
The event was graced by a distinguished panel of jury members, including Ashish Kulkarni, Chairman of the FICCI AVGC-XR Forum, and Viral Thakkar, Creative Director of ReDefine India. Industry stalwarts like PhantomFX received the VFX Excellence Award, while 88 Pictures took home the ‘Animation Excellence Award’. Other winners included Nazara Technologies for ‘Gaming Excellence, Ogilvy for Design & Innovation Excellence’, and ‘Adobe for Technology Innovation’.
Mr. Atul Jain, Managing Director & CEO of Aptech Limited, highlighted the importance of fostering creativity through initiatives like 24FPS. “This event celebrates exceptional creative works and showcases the best talent in the media and entertainment industry. We are proud to witness the tremendous growth of this platform and its role in nurturing skilled professionals,” he stated.
According to the FICCI EY M&E 2024 report, India’s Media and Entertainment sector is poised for significant growth, with the animation and VFX industries projected to contribute 9 percent to its expansion. The animation segment grew by 6 percent in 2023, reaching ₹114 billion, while the VFX sector expanded by 10 percent. Such statistics underscore the importance of platforms like 24FPS in driving innovation and growth within the AVGC domain.
MAAC, with its cutting-edge curriculum and emphasis on technical skills, teamwork, and industry readiness, continues to be a pioneer in preparing students for success in the Media & Entertainment industry.
For over two decades, the MAAC 24FPS International Animation Awards have served as a beacon of inspiration for students, teachers, and creative professionals. This iconic event not only celebrates talent but also fosters groundbreaking initiatives, taking India’s AVGC sector to new heights.
As the curtains closed on the 21st edition, the event reaffirmed its commitment to identifying and nurturing talent, ensuring that the Indian AVGC industry remains a global force to reckon with.