The inaugural ceremony featured Subrata Roy, Founder and Managing Director of Hi-Tech Animation Studio, as the chief guest, alongside guests of honor Veerendra K Patil, Founder and Creative Director of Zebu Animation, and Shyam Deshpande, Art Director at Krafton India. Also present were Prof (Dr) Raviraja N Sitharam, Vice Chancellor of Chandigarh University, and Prof (Dr) VR Raghuveer, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academics), joined by a distinguished cohort of dignitaries from the global film, animation, and gaming fraternity. Chief guest Subrata Roy emphasized the unavoidable integration of Artificial Intelligence, urging students to go beyond conventional syllabi and master technology as a servant rather than becoming its slave. Roy delivered a stark reminder that art must generate economic value to be sustainable, advising creators to focus on sellable content rather than passion alone.
Reinforcing the theme of evolution, Veerendra K Patil noted that just as digital media once faced skepticism regarding emotional depth, AI is now the next step in creative evolution. He challenged the next generation to embrace AI as a fundamental tool, asserting that mastery of fundamentals like lighting and design remains essential for communicating effectively with machines. Patil further shared a philosophy of "life balance," describing animation not merely as work but as a vital part of storytelling life. Complementing this perspective, Shyam Deshpande spoke on the collaborative nature of art, noting that while personal intuition is vital, artists must adapt to audience expectations and industrial demands. Deshpande argued that every artistic decision, from texture to contrast, must be backed by clear intent to avoid being reduced to surface-level aesthetics.
Prof (Dr) Raviraja N Sitharam highlighted Chandigarh University’s commitment to experiential learning, noting that in an era of 20 to 30-second attention spans, storytelling requires both creative flair and scientific precision. The festival’s diverse lineup includes short films, documentaries, 2D and 3D animation, VFX films, showreels, AI-driven films, and advertisements. These works are being evaluated by an esteemed jury including Prof (Dr) Sebastian Pagueguy of Universidad de Chile, Sachitha Kalingamudali of Mogo Studios, Bollywood actor and director Rohit Tiwari, Syed Nadeem Akhtar of Digitoonz, and immersive technology veteran Krupasagar Sridharan. On the concluding day, the festival will recognize outstanding excellence in categories ranging from Best Short Film and Best VFX to Video Advertising Excellence. This international initiative by the Animation Department of Chandigarh University—a NAAC A+ and QS World Ranked institution—secures its position as a premier hub for media education and global industry integration.
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