Mumbai, August 6: The BRICS Waves Market 2026 was inaugurated in Mumbai on Thursday under India’s BRICS presidency. This two-day international event has attracted over 500 representatives from BRICS member and partner countries. The primary goal of the event is to promote global collaboration, investment, and business opportunities in creative industries such as film, television, animation, VFX, gaming, music, and digital media.
During the opening ceremony, Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Electronics, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Culture, stated, “BRICS Waves Market 2026 can become a platform that directs the global creative economy. India is poised to play a significant role in the global creative economy, leveraging its rich cultural heritage and technological innovations.”
Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi views culture and creativity as effective means for dialogue and cooperation among nations. He noted that this market in Mumbai, along with the upcoming BRICS Film Festival in November 2026, will create new opportunities for co-production, investment, and international partnerships in the creative industries.
Kumar mentioned that representatives from 21 BRICS member and partner countries are participating in the event. The aim is to develop a sustainable platform that strengthens global collaboration by bringing together creative projects, talents, and investors.
He also highlighted that India is advancing partnerships with global creative industries through initiatives like Waves, India Cine Hub, the Indian Institute of Creative Technology, and skill development programs. Kumar extended an invitation to all BRICS countries to participate in the next ‘Waves’ event in Mumbai in 2027.
Ashutosh Gowariker, Festival Director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and filmmaker, invited representatives to join IFFI 2026, stating that cinema is an effective medium for connecting cultures and enhancing global cooperation.
Rajiv Bodwade, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, remarked that this event aligns with India’s BRICS presidency theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” which will give new momentum to the creative economy. He noted that the global creative economy contributes approximately 3.1 percent to the world’s GDP and over $1.4 trillion in international service exports.
Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), shared that the two-day program will feature high-level conferences, panel discussions, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and networking sessions. Topics of special discussion will include international co-production, content financing, digital transformation, intellectual property rights, women’s entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.
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