Karnataka accounts for 20% of Indian media, entertainment industry: state IT minister

Karnataka accounts for 20% of the Indian media and entertainment industry, employing more than 15,000 professionals. It also has more than 300 specialised AVGC (animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics)-XR studios, Karnataka IT minister Priyank Kharge said in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

He said the state will be holding the animation, visual effects and gaming conference - Bengaluru GAFX 2024 - from January 29 to 31. Those expected to speak are Kalari Capital's Vani Kola, Invest India chief executive Nivruti Rai, and Infosys cofounder Kris Gopalakrishnan, among others.

Karnataka was the first state to launch AVGC Policy in 2012, to address the domestic and global need, and institutes dedicated to animation, visual effects, and gaming.


These educational establishments make up a significant portion of India's 139 institutes in these specialised fields. The state also has Digital Art Centers in 27 Fine Arts colleges catering to 600 students and one AVGC-XR Finishing School.

This year's conference will see some leading Indian and international names. Some visual effects showcases from Hollywood will be presented at GAFX including the Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Antman & Wasp Quantamania, and The Fast & the Furious X.

The rise of VFX content in the Indian regional landscape will include showcases from Ghost, Jawan, Animal, PS2, Charlie 777 and Vikrant Rona.