Mumbai: The grand finale of the inaugural Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season 1 lit up the stage at WAVES 2025, marking a transformative moment for India’s burgeoning media and entertainment industry. The vibrant ceremony honoured the winners of 32 groundbreaking challenges, celebrating creativity across animation, gaming, AI, filmmaking, digital art, music, and more.
Designed to empower the next generation of storytellers, technologists, and visionaries, the CIC initiative has attracted global attention, with entries from over 60 countries and more than 1,100 international participants. Nearly one lakh registrations poured in from across the world, reaffirming India’s emergence as a creative superpower.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the CIC as a landmark initiative. “For the first time, an award is being given purely for creativity. This journey has just begun,” he declared, announcing the launch of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology, envisioned as an IIT-style hub for nurturing innovation in the creative arts. “You are stepping into a world of new opportunities.”
Minister of State for I&B, Dr. L. Murugan congratulated the participants and highlighted the dynamic energy of India’s youth. “This platform reflects the power of young minds to merge creativity with technology. It is also a tribute to Nari Shakti and the promising future of Indian content,” he said.
MIB Secretary Sanjay Jaju traced the CIC’s inspiring evolution since its launch in August 2024. “We began with 25 challenges. After the Prime Minister’s mention in Mann Ki Baat, participation skyrocketed, and the challenge list grew to 32,” he shared. “Today, 750 finalists are here—each one of them a winner.”
The Create in India Challenge served as a launchpad for innovators, offering challenges like the Anime Challenge, XR Creator Hackathon, and AI Filmmaking Competition, all curated in partnership with top industry bodies. The initiative spotlighted how technology and creativity are converging to reshape storytelling.
The award ceremony was graced by legendary figures from Indian cinema and media, including Aamir Khan, Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Vikrant Massey, Prasoon Joshi, and Aroon Purie, who lauded the winners and underscored the significance of nurturing creative talent.
As India accelerates its journey towards becoming a global content hub, CIC Season 1 has laid a strong foundation for what lies ahead. It stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to fostering innovation, creativity, and digital excellence in the media and entertainment sector.
