BY FARHATNAZ ANSARI & FORUM AVLANI
Japan‘s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) organized the first ever Japan-India Creative Content Industry Forum in Mumbai from 12 to 14 March, 2011 at Four Seasons Hotel, Worli, Mumbai where the needs of the collaboration were discussed and also how fruitful this combination in the world of animation can be! This unique, first of its kind initiative brought together the Indian and Japanese contents industry professionals and students.
The Japanese delegates down for this event, remained committed to the event, even in the face of the recent catastrophe in Japan.
India being one of the key target markets for animation, this event enabled collaboration of Japanese and Indian animation industry leaders in Mumbai which is the capital of the creative contents business in India. The 3 day event was organized by METI in cooperation with Japan External Trade Relation Organization (JETRO), The Animation Society of India (TASI), National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
After the first day ended with well-known personalities giving insight on the cultural and economical benefits of Japan and India coming together, the second day started with the screenings of
Top Japanese Animation experts, Animation Production companies, publishing houses, educational institutes and leading industry bodies met Indian experts and Industry Professionals. The key note speakers at the conference were Kaname Tajima, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; A.K. Madhavan , CEO, Crest Animation Studio; Yuji Nunokawa, President, Pierrot and President at The Association of Japanese Animation; Rajiv Chilaka, CEO and Creative Head, Green Gold Animation.
There was a panel discussion on Animation Business, Education and Collaboration of India - Japan. in the discussion Kireet Khurana, from 2NZ Animation shared, "Japan has so much with them that they can help the Indian companies grow. Earlier we have worked together but the collaborations have died all the way. I would wish to see IP creations and cultural bonding between these two countries." Along with the panel discussions there were attractive Japanese toys, Comic Books and novels displayed on the stalls.
Jai Natarajan, CEO, Xentrix Studios and Committee Member, TASI mentioned few challenges of Indian Animation Indutsry, which are price sensitiveness, lack of public funding, lack of global brand in animation and design and aesthetics not being culturally absorbed at young age. He believed that the collaboration would promote design and art and would also strengthen toys and merchandise business.
Akira Takayama, President at Fanworks Inc. explained their work as an animation company. He also informed that they are developing animation for social networking sites and are also doing it for Youtube and believed that such kind of animation will go globally to people.
Rajiv Chilaka, CEO and Creative Head, Green Gold Animation who presented his thoughts and case study into the possibilities Indo-Japan collaboration said, "Japanese animation is in spotlight not only in Japan but overseas as well. It is an honor if we get a chance to work with them. We can explore their content and vice versa."
Japanese animation movies and series produced and developed by different studios and production houses in Japan.
The first work to be screened on the second day was Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (Studio Pierrot). It is a 2004 Japanese animated film directed by Tensai Okamura and written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa based on the popular anime and manga series Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto. This was followed by Digimon and One Piece (both from Toei Animation).
Japan‘s top animation expert, Shinichi Suzuki spoke about animation and animation techniques. Yawaraka Sensha and Tateyama Kanko Anime (from Fanworks) and Student Works (from Vantan) were screened later on.
The audience throughout the event were engaged in the screenings and enjoyed watching the Japanese animation work on screen. This event marked the beginning of new collaborations and efforts that are being taken to create a strong and lasting bond between India and Japan‘s Animation Industry.
