Hindi
Animation and film folk to get together at first Animated Feature Forum on 23 August
MUMBAI: Professionals from both the film and animation industry are set to have their first joint interaction at the Animation Xpress Animated Feature Forum (AFF), which has its big ticket premiere on 23 August in Mumbai. The focus of this conference will lie on the future of animation feature films in India.
The AFF is a focused initiative from Indiantelevision Dot Com‘s AnimationXpress that will begin with its first edition on 23 August, but will continue 24/7 online through interactive online forums and blogs as well as on ground events frequently.
According to Animation Xpress co-founder, CEO, and managing editor, Anand Gurnani, “Unlike the Indian cinema industry that can make 10 films in one year and market them well too, the animation industry’s expertise lies only in production. The people here take at least two to three years to release a single film and do not know how to promote and market it. Thus, this conference aims to provide a platform to both these industries wherein they can share not only their domain expertise with each other but also help the Indian animation industry grow further.”
Speaking about AFF, Gurnani said, “Getting film folk and trade to attend the conference has been an experience and our fingers are crossed. Frankly speaking, this is a modest beginning. An assured positive outcome is that there will be a movement towards bringing animation into the mainstream and all the discussions as well as the networking is really going to be useful for our animation industry colleagues.”
House Full
Animation Xpress is releasing a very interesting report which has data and images of more than 50 Indian animated features that are in the works. This report called House Full which will be periodically published will serve as a ready reckoner not only for the animation folks but also the film industry and financers as well.
The Creative Talent Network
A unique Creative Talent Network which is open to all pre-production artists and scriptwriters (free but pre-registration is required) – will be held from 10 am to 1 pm at the Hyatt Regency where the pre pro artists and scripwriters can meet and network to pursue collaboration amongst themselves and with producers who have booked table space.
This will be followed by the conference which begins at 2.30 pm and goes on till late in the evening.
The following is the programme of the event:
10 am to 1.00 pm
Creative & Pre Production Talent Network
1.30 pm
Conference Registration Begins
2.30 pm: Keynote
Mahesh Samat, Managing Director, Walt Disney (India)
3.00 pm: Director‘s Cut
Govind Nihalani
Kunal Kohli
Rohit Vaid
Arnab Chaudhari
Gitanjali Rao
3.50 pm: I to ROI
Siddharth Jain, Irock Entertainment
Jiggy George, Head of Theatrical & L&M, Turner
Abhimanyu Singh, MD, Contiloe Pictures
Ashish Kulkarni, BIG Animation
Krishika Lulla, Eros*
4.40 pm: Tea Break
4.55 pm: Development to Post
Aditya Krishna, VP-Development, UTV Motion Pictures
Aman Kwatra, Production Head, 2nz
Nalin Singh, MD, Indiatales
CB Arun Kumar, Head of VFX & Animation Operations, Pixion
Pankaj Khandpur, Creative Director, Tata Elxsi, VCL
5.45 pm – The 2D pipeline
Deepak Jadhav, Founder, DREAMS
5.55 pm: Marketing & Innovation
Navin Shah, CEO, P9 Integrated
Pranay Atwal, Starcomm
Saurabh Varma, CMO, Reliance Entertainment
Smita Maroo, Shemaroo
To be announced
6.55 pm: Distribution & Release
*Kercy Daruwala, Managing Director, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sandeep Bhargava, Studio 18
Utpal Acharya, Inox
Devang Sampat, Cinemax
To be announced
8.00 pm: Cocktails & Dinner
The partners and supporters for AFF include:
Gold Partners: DREAMS and Screen, Silver Partners: Indiatales, Autodesk, Contiloe Pictures, BIG Animation, Cornershop. Multiplex Partner: Cinemax, Media Support; Trade Guide, UTVi, Cinema Today, Indiantelevision.com, expressindia.com. The event is also supported by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association.
Hindi
Shekhar Suman opens acting academy in Mumbai
The veteran actor-presenter launches SSFA, promising immersive, mentorship-led training for aspiring actors and storytellers
Mumbai: Forty years in front of the camera, and Shekhar Suman still isn’t done. The actor, host, writer and director, one of Indian entertainment’s most restless polymaths, is now training his sights on the next generation, launching the Shekhar Suman Film Academy (SSFA) in Mumbai on 22nd April 2026. Registrations for the inaugural batch are already open.
SSFA pitches itself squarely against formula-driven acting schools, leading with an intensive three-month programme that Suman says he personally designed and will largely conduct himself. The curriculum blends voice and speech work, emotional access, body awareness and camera technique with the Linklater Voice Method, film language and on-set discipline, and rounds off with a student film, giving trainees their first taste of a real set.
Masterclasses with actors, casting directors and filmmakers sit alongside the core course. The academy is conceived as a platform that will eventually sprawl into screenwriting, direction, cinematography, music production and post-production: a full creative ecosystem rather than a single acting school.
“For me, this academy is not just an institution. It is a very personal way of giving back to the craft that has given me everything,” said Suman. “Over the years, acting has taught me discipline, imagination, resilience, and the importance of truth in performance. Through this academy, I hope to create something that goes beyond training and becomes a true creative journey for every student who walks in.”
Behind the scenes, the academy is backed by GBM Studios. Dharmesh Sangani, founder and visionary, is the driving force, bringing what the academy describes as “a focused approach to creating meaningful opportunities within the industry.” Adhyayan Suman, founder and director and Shekhar’s son, adds a performer’s perspective honed across acting, music and direction. Ekant Babani, partner and chief operating officer, handles strategy and operations.
Entry is deliberately low-barrier. No prior training is needed: applicants sit a basic self-audition test, shifting the focus firmly to potential rather than polish. The academy says it aims to stay accessible while delivering a premium, hands-on experience.
In a country where acting schools multiply almost as fast as OTT platforms, Suman’s personal stamp and his willingness to stand in the room and teach may be the sharpest edge SSFA has. For those ready to test that promise, the curtain is already up. Apply at shekharsumanfilmacademy.com
