Mumbai, Jan 08:  AniMela, an international festival focused on animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality (AVGC-XR), will return to Mumbai from 19 to 22 February 2026 at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

The 2026 edition is being shaped by an international advisory board and contributors drawn from Indian and global animation, gaming, and immersive media ecosystems. The advisory leadership includes Mickaël Marin of Annecy Festival and MIFA, Munjal Shroff of Graphiti Studio, Arjun Madhavan of Assemblage, executive producer Ashima Avasthi Chaudhuri, Aneta Ozorek of Kaboom Film Festival, and filmmaker Kiran Rao.

The festival programme will include film screenings and premieres, artist talks, behind-the-scenes sessions on animation and VFX productions, a gaming arena, an international VR showcase, a comics programme, and industry-led sessions focused on professional exchange and skills development. The 2026 edition will also introduce a Transmedia Stage, dedicated to discussions on world-building across film, games, sound, and interactive formats.

Speaking about the festival’s curatorial approach, Festival Director Nina Sabnani said,

“India’s creative landscape is evolving fast, with new talent and new ways of thinking in animation, gaming, and immersive media. AniMela arrives at the right moment to help guide this shift by supporting innovation and giving visibility to the voices that will shape the next decade.”

Filmmaker Kiran Rao, who has joined the Advisory Board, said,

“As someone who deeply believes in the power of radical imagination and technology to expand how we tell stories, it is an honour to be part of AniMela’s journey at such a pivotal moment for the creative ecosystem. I am excited to support the festival as it expands its footprint, empowers new voices, and champions a future where Indian creators stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world.”

Emphasising the festival’s institutional significance, Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director, NFDC, said,

“For decades, NFDC has supported filmmakers and cinematic voices that shape India’s cultural future. AniMela is a natural partner in this journey; bringing together storytelling, technology, and new generations of creators on a truly global stage.”

Among the projects scheduled for preview at AniMela 2026 is Jharokha One: The Dancing Forest, a location-based VR experience inspired by an Adivasi song from Telangana and developed using the Gond visual tradition. The project forms part of the festival’s immersive media programming.

AniMela’s evolution has been shaped by collaborations built not for a single year, but for long-term cultural exchange and skill development. The festival begins its two-year partnerships with the French Institute in India, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT), with a shared focus on education, training, industry dialogue, and innovation within the AVGC-XR ecosystem, led by Anita Karnik, Head of Corporate Alliances.

Speaking about the international collaboration, Mathieu Béjot, Attaché for Audiovisual, Cinema & Digital Content, French Institute in India, said,

“The French Institute in India has been a proud partner of Animela since day one. It is now embarking on an ambitious two-year plan of action covering all the facets of the AVGC-XR sector. Under the name Desibel Indian Talents, French Vibes, the project aims to support the emergence of more Indian original IPs and to foster relationships between our two countries. Animela is a key stakeholder in the project along with its trusted partners such NFDC and Annecy.”

Reinforcing the industry-building focus of the partnership, Gautam Bhanot, General Manager, NFDC, said,

“AniMela represents the kind of forward-looking platform the Indian creative industry needs today. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to opening international pathways, fostering collaboration, and positioning Indian creative talent within global networks.”