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Two-Day International Film Festival Concludes at Chandigarh University with Resounding Success
“India is becoming global hub for all kind of content, but work needed on the quality of the content, says Mirzapur Actor, Rohit Tiwari
CUIFF’24: “Raakshas” Bags First Prize for Best Experimental Animation Short Film, while “Messi” wins Best Short Film
MOHALI, India, Aug. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The two-day Chandigarh University International Film Festival 2024 (CUIFF’24) concluded on Friday with a healthy panel discussion on changing face of Indian film industry and plethora of opportunities available to the youth in the entertainment industry.
The CUIFF’24, hosted by Chandigarh University’s Department of Animation in collaboration with Vancouver Film School, witnessed screening of over 350 films, including 12 international entries at the Chandigarh University campus in Gharuan. These films included 100 short films, 25 experimental films, 50 documentaries, 50 2D and 3D Animation Films, 25 VFX (Visual effects) Films and 80 Showreels.
The highlight of the concluding day of the festival, being held since 2015, will include notable appearances including Rohit Tiwari, a multifaceted actor, writer, and director, Ashish Kulkarni, the Chairman of FICCI for the AVGC Forum and Sanjay Khimesara, the President of Asifa India.
Participating in Panel Discussion on “The Globalization of Indian Cinema: Challenges and Opportunities in Live Action, Animation, and Industry Growth: Discussing the global prospects of Indian cinema with a focus on live-action, animation, and the role of industry organizations like FICCI and ASIFA”, Tiwari said India is becoming the global hub for all kind of content but work is needed on the quality of the content.
“The number of content being created in India is huge and we are leading the world in it, but we need to work on the quality of content being created in India. OTT (over-the-top platforms) has made huge impact on Indian cinema and new type of content is being created in the country now. Earlier only big stories were told on the big screen but OTT is felicitating content creation of simple and ordinary topics also. At the same time lots of experiments are being done in the field to cater to the people of different regions of the country or serve the untold stories of different regions to the audience,” he said.
On lack of movies with social messages in the current cinema, Tiwari, who has acted in notable films including Dhobi Ghat, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Mission Mangal, Mirzapur, and Dream Girl, said it’s a case of demand and supply. Movies like 12th Fail or Laapataa Ladies will inspire more movies with strong social message.
“But commercial movie making is a business and audience for such content is shrinking in Hindi film industry. But Bengali, Malayalam and Marathi cinema is coming up with such films with social messages,” he added.
On brain drain the film and animation industry, Tiwari said, “We have a huge population and pool of talent in the county. The people who are going abroad are technicians because they have been doing animation for many decades now. But Indian technicians now know they can also be creators. So if you are creator, you need to go anywhere and make a career here in India. Yes, people are going abroad for good salaries but still we have good people staying back in India because they can be creators here than just be technicians abroad,”.
On the threat from the Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ashish Kulkarni, the Chairman of FICCI for the AVGC Forum, said, “AI is highly hyped. Our business is about emotional intelligence not artificial intelligence. You need to relate to characters. The characters need to have strong emotional connect with the audience. Animation is the most interesting from of storytelling. But we need to have patience to tell the story and keep people engrossed,” he said.
On the boom in the Indian animation industry, the President of Asifa India, Sanjay Khimesara said, “India is a top five economy while we are witnessing recession in many countries even in Europe. So India is offering the best opportunity to the world. Even companies like Walt Disney has opened office in India. So to say that Indian talent going abroad is a myth because best opportunities are being offered in India. But yes the world over Indians are being hired by top companies. Indian animation industry is growing at the rate of 15 to 18 per cent per annum. It’s a sunrise sector with huge scope for talented youth in India. Indian industry is definitely on a roll. We are working to get 10 per cent of global market by 2030 and it’s already happening,” .
During the festival, awards were given to participating movie makers in various categories. The first prize for the Best Experimental Animation Short Film was given to Tansheet Bhat for the movie “Raakshas (The Demon)” and second prize in the category was given to Smrithi Ramesh for the movie , Vehem.
In the Best Short Film category, the first prize was given to Tushar Das for “Messi” and second prize to Samanway Biswas Anuparna Roy And co-producer Bibhanshu Rai.
The first prize in the Best Documentary category was given to Riah Taipodia for “Khiew Ranei” (Black Clay) and the second prize to Sabir Ali for “Ghagghar : Tera Panni Amrit“.
For Best Showreel, the first prize was given to Abhayudaya Vishwakarma of Chandigarh University and second prize to Yashpal Patial of Chandigarh University for “Composing Showreel”.
In the Best Visual Effect Short Film category, the first prize was given to Akshit Arora for “Looking through the Window” and the second prize to Bharatdeep Singh for “Inside the Mirror”.
For Best VFX Short Film, the first prize was given to Tanvi Prabhakar for “Bhein Patata” and second prize to Hope Studio of Chandigarh University for “First Gate of Hell”. The festival concluded with a power-packed Bhangra performance by Chandigarh University students.
About Chandigarh University
Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.
Website address: https://www.cuchd.in/
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Lumina Datamatics Wins IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service Category
MUMBAI, India, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lumina Datamatics, a strategic partner to global publishers and eCommerce retailers, has won the IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service category. The award was presented at a prestigious ceremony held at the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mumbai on 30th April 2026.
This esteemed recognition is part of the IMC Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality (RBNQ) Awards for 2025, one of India’s most respected benchmarks for organizational excellence. The award underscores Lumina Datamatics’ unwavering commitment to business excellence, quality-driven processes, and continuous performance improvement. Notably, Lumina Datamatics Limited is the only organization recognized in the service segment this year, representing excellence across the Business Process Management spectrum.
The selection followed a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process conducted by an eminent panel of judges, assessing organizations on key parameters such as leadership, strategy, customer focus, operational effectiveness, and overall business performance.
Speaking on the achievement, Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director & CEO, Lumina Datamatics, and Vice Chairman & CEO, TNQTech said, “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition. This achievement reflects the collective dedication, collaboration, and relentless focus on quality demonstrated by our teams across the organization. It reinforces our commitment to delivering consistent value to our clients worldwide while continuously striving for excellence in everything we do.”
The milestone highlights Lumina Datamatics’ strong foundation in operational excellence and its ongoing efforts to set new benchmarks in service delivery across global markets.
About Lumina Datamatics:
Lumina Datamatics is a trusted partner in providing digital Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to companies in the Publishing and Retail Industries worldwide. We are among the largest service providers in the Content space, and our customers include 8 of the top 10 academic publishers and 3 of the 5 largest Retailers and Marketplaces. Lumina Datamatics’ expert solutions combine its various in-house and client-facing platforms, partnerships with global technology leaders, and more than 7,500 professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Philippines, and India. This integrated global capability enables the company to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions to clients worldwide.
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HOP Events, helmed by Kalpesh Kinariwala, bridges Indian talent and global prestige at the Shows of India 2026 Conclave
- The anchor sponsorship of the Shows of India 2026 Conclave marks HOP Events’ official pathway into the Indian subcontinent; the UAE-based premium live entertainment company aims to source and showcase extraordinary Indian talent in the markets it operates in.
- This move will bridge the gap between iconic Indian artists — rooted in Indian and South Asian culture — and world-class international venues and global audiences.
- In addition to headlining the conclave as its anchor sponsor, HOP Events also made its presence felt in crucial conversations and networking hubs, with Founder and Chairman Kalpesh Kinariwala gracing the conclave as a speaker.
NEW DELHI, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HOP Events, a UAE-based premium live entertainment company, made landfall on Indian shores through the eagerly awaited Shows of India 2026 Conclave. The sixth edition of the event, which drew to a close on May 2, brought together high-profile industry veterans, change-makers, and disruptors who are shaping the future of India’s live entertainment economy.
Led by industry trailblazer Kalpesh Kinariwala, HOP Events not only participated as the anchor sponsor for the conclave but also broke new ground by offering Indian talent and agencies unprecedented inroads into global markets and prestigious productions.
Held at Delhi’s upscale The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, the two-day Shows of India 2026 Conclave is India’s most anticipated flagship gathering focused on the live entertainment, events, and experiential segments. It brings together key players from across the industry’s value chain, including event professionals, artist managers, promoters, brands, and creators, and facilitates industry-shaping conversations and collaborations.
HOP Events’ rationale for backing the Shows of India 2026 Conclave was simple but powerful – as a hub for some of the greatest artistic talent in the world, India stands to benefit immensely from HOP Events’ proven expertise in the premium live entertainment industry. With the conclave sitting at the intersection of India’s creative excellence and its commercial ambition, it is the perfect avenue for HOP Events to seek the artists, managers, collaborators, and cultural voices they want to elevate and present to the world. This anchor sponsorship is thus a declaration of HOP Events’ intent to champion Indian talent and carry it far beyond India’s borders.
Elaborating further on the sponsorship, Kalpesh Kinariwala, Founder and Chairman of HOP Events, who also spoke at the conclave, shared:
“India is producing some of the most streamed, most loved, and most culturally significant artists on the planet. Arijit Singh ranks ninth among Spotify’s top artists globally. A.R. Rahman has 75 million followers and ranks ahead of global superstars. Rishab Sharma is the number one followed sitar player in the world. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Aditya Gadhvi, Anuv Jain — these are artists with massive, passionate global fanbases.
Yet their presence on international stages, particularly in the Gulf and beyond, remains far below what their stature deserves. That is the opportunity HOP Events is seizing. The UAE is home to a millions-strong South Asian diaspora — professionals, families, and communities who are hungry for these artists and have both the means and the desire to attend premium live experiences. The Shows of India 2026 Conclave gives us the needed platform to engage with this talent ecosystem at exactly the moment when appetite for Indian talent on the global stage has never been higher.”
The conclave’s growing eminence as a premium, high-production-value platform was further underscored by its association with HOP Events, an industry leader in creating large-scale experiential events. Through the years, the Shows of India Conclave has differentiated itself through its trailblazing properties and a star-studded artist line-up. By essaying the role of anchor sponsor for India’s premier business and entertainment conclave, HOP Events is throwing the doors open for partnerships with Indian artist managers, talent agencies, record labels, and creative professionals.
As the force behind the sold-out Etihad Arena concert with Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman, and Rishab Sharma, HOP Events knows what it takes to market Indian artists to global audiences, fill premium venues, and create experiences that do justice to the cultural magnitude these artists carry.
In the mid-to-long term, HOP Events aims to become the defining bridge between Indian artistic talent and the global stage. The company is actively scaling across the GCC and extending further into South Asian diaspora hubs globally, with the goal of bringing world-class talent backed by high-end productions and marketing sophistication to deep, passionate, and underserved audiences for Indian and South Asian cultural experiences.
About HOP Events
Founded by industry veteran Kalpesh Kinariwala, HOP Events is one of the UAE’s most prestigious names in premium live entertainment. It is hailed for curating global live experiences across the UAE and beyond. The company brings together eminent international artists, creativity, and immaculate organization on one stage, delivering world-class live concerts and entertainment experiences that make a lasting impression on the cultural fabric of the region. HOP Events’ expertise spans from close-up intimate performances to sold-out iconic arenas and includes notable names such as Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman, and Rishab Sharma. The company differentiates itself through the three pillars of innovation, excellence, and a strong community focus. In doing so, it creates experiences that anchor communities, build connection, and foster a stronger sense of belonging, while delighting audiences with seamless execution, elevated experiences, and disruptive thinking.
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MSEED and SCOPE Global Skills University Sign Strategic Partnership to Shape the Future of Experiential Marketing Education
MUMBAI, India and BHOPAL, India, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Premium education institute MSEED (The Management School of Events and Experience Design) today partnered with SCOPE Global Skills University, Bhopal, to introduce a two-year MBA in Event Management and Experiential Marketing.
Besides boosting students academically, this association intends to equip them with the evolving demands of events and the experiential marketing ecosystem. Furthermore, the collaboration will be fueled by industry expertise and academic structure, helping students build a career in the fast-growing fields of events, entertainment, and experiential marketing.
At a time when experiential marketing is ‘evolving from a tactical activation to a strategic growth engine for brands’, this collaboration serves right.
Speaking on this exclusive partnership between MSEED and SCOPE, Joshua Newman, Vice-President – Marketing & Partnerships, MSEED, said, “Our focus has always been on outcomes, not just education. This partnership allows us to extend that vision by working with SCOPE Global Skills University to create a program that prepares students for real careers. From curriculum to classroom delivery and industry exposure, every aspect is designed to ensure that students graduate with confidence, clarity, and practical experience.”
The MBA program is designed to:
- Provide a recognized postgraduate qualification with a specialized focus
- Build practical skills through real-world projects and case studies
- Offering industry interaction, mentorship, and exposure
- Support students with internship and placement opportunities
Dr. Vijay Singh, Vice Chancellor of SGSU, hailed the launch as a landmark moment for the city. “This is a remarkable event not just for our university, but for the city of Bhopal. We are witnessing a paradigm shift in how specialized education is delivered in Madhya Pradesh. By launching this MBA in Event Management, we are providing our youth with a platform to master the art of execution, creativity, and management right here in their home state,” he said.
The partnership was formally cemented through the signing of an agreement between the two institutions in the esteemed presence of Mangubhai C. Patel, the current and 19th Governor of Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of industry-integrated education in India.
For more information on events and experiential marketing, please visit our website.
Media Contacts:
For media inquiries, please contact
Tasneem Limbdiwala
tasneem@mseededucation.com
About MSEED
MSEED, a part of EVA Group, India’s one of the largest live event companies, and backed by 200 odd industry veterans, the institute brings with it deep-rooted industry expertise and real-world insights. It is a creative business institute designed for the next generation of storytellers, strategists, producers, and brand builders. The mission is not just to prepare students for jobs, but to lead industries.
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Lumina Datamatics Wins IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service Category
HOP Events, helmed by Kalpesh Kinariwala, bridges Indian talent and global prestige at the Shows of India 2026 Conclave
HOP Events, helmed by Kalpesh Kinariwala, bridges Indian talent and global prestige at the Shows of India 2026 Conclave
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