Dubai: India has extended an invitation to the UAE’s media and entertainment industry to participate in the upcoming World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES Summit), a first-of-its-kind global convergence event aimed at fostering cross-industry collaboration.
The summit, set to take place in Mumbai in May, will bring together key players from the film, television, animation, gaming, OTT, and broadcasting sectors to discuss challenges and innovations shaping the industry.
“The WAVES Summit is not just an event; it’s a movement,” a top Indian official told Gulf News during his recent visit to the UAE to promote the initiative.
“Our aim is to enhance global knowledge and collaboration through storytelling, innovation, and strategic discussions that will define the future of media and entertainment,” Sanjay Jaju, secretary, Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said in an exclusive interview.
“It’s also an opportunity to promote cultural exchanges, build business partnerships, and discuss how new platforms like OTT are reshaping the entertainment landscape,” he said.
Strengthening media ties
The UAE, with its strong cultural and media ties with India, is seen as a key participant in the summit, he said. The Indian delegation met with the UAE Media Council to encourage engagement at both government and industry levels.
“We have had discussions with the UAE Media Council and requested their participation in the Global Media Dialogue. We are also reaching out to UAE-based media and entertainment companies to take part in the event,” said Jaju.
With a large Indian diaspora in the UAE, Bollywood and Indian regional cinema continue to have a “strong influence on the local entertainment landscape,” he pointed out.
The UAE is home to more than four million Indians and Bollywood and South Indian movies have huge fan following even among Emiratis and expats from other countries. Indian films have frequently used the UAE as a shooting destination as well.
Jaju said India and the UAE have been collaborating extensively in the media and entertainment sector.
“Such partnerships are key to expanding both nations’ footprints in global markets, as they combine India’s rich cultural heritage with the UAE’s strategic positioning in the MENA region. The collaboration also extends to media infrastructure, with the UAE emerging as an important hub for international productions.”
The official highlighted that both nations also face common challenges in the media sector, such as “content regulations on OTT platforms, social media policies, and revenue distribution between big tech companies and content creators.”
“There are global issues affecting media and entertainment that require a collective approach. From content regulation to digital revenue models, WAVES Summit will serve as a platform to address these challenges together.”
Incentives for UAE filmmakers
Jaju said India is actively promoting itself as a preferred destination for international film production, offering a range of incentives to attract global filmmakers, including those from the UAE.
“India provides tax rebates, subsidies, and access to diverse shooting locations and world-class production facilities. We are keen to make India an attractive destination for UAE-based filmmakers, strengthening collaboration between both industries.”
As part of the summit, 22 international challenges have been launched, inviting global participation—including from the UAE. These competitions span various domains such as: filmmaking and trailer production, animation and gaming, music composition and band performances, technology-driven storytelling and AI-based media solutions.
“We encourage participation from the UAE in these global challenges. The competitions provide an excellent platform for creative talents to showcase their work on an international stage,” Jaju pointed out.
Cultural diplomacy
He said India and the UAE already have a well-established cultural exchange in the film and entertainment sector.
The Indian government and the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development have collaborated to host film festivals such as Indo-Dubai International Film Festival (IDIFF) in India and Indian Film Festival, a non-commercial festival that showcases Indian films in the UAE, he said.
“Indian films play a significant role in cultural diplomacy. They influence everything from fashion to language, strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the UAE,” Jaju observed.
Beyond film screenings, he said the two countries are also exploring “joint initiatives in media infrastructure and content production.”
Notably, UAE-based media firms are increasingly collaborating with Indian production houses for film co-productions, distribution deals, and digital content creation.
“This is just the beginning of a larger conversation. We hope to see a robust representation from the UAE at the summit, fostering new partnerships and shaping the future of global media together,” said Jaju.
Plans are underway for more joint cultural initiatives, enabling filmmakers, actors, and media professionals from both nations to exchange ideas and collaborate.
Registration details and closing dates for the summit are available on the website and social media channels of WAVES India.
