Tag: VFX

Events in Goa

Dr. L. Murugan Inaugurates IFFI 2025 Masterclass Series, Spotlight on AI, Sustainability & Women-led Cinema

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) opened a significant chapter today as Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, inaugurated the festival’s prestigious Masterclass Series at the Kala Academy in Goa. This year marks a historic milestone with the Masterclass inauguration being held for the first time in the presence of the general public, reflecting IFFI’s vision of fostering greater accessibility, openness, and participation from film enthusiasts across all walks of life. Distinguished dignitaries including Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Shri Sanjay Jaju, Joint Secretary Dr. Ajay Naghbhushan, National Film Development Corporation Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum, celebrated filmmaker Shri Muzaffar Ali, and noted film personality Shri Ravi Kottarakara graced the occasion, reinforcing the festival’s stature as a global platform for cinematic dialogue and innovation.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Murugan emphasized India’s expanding cultural footprint, noting that more than 200 films from around the world will be screened at this year’s festival. He highlighted that IFFI 2025 aligns with India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat, showcasing the nation’s creative evolution on the global stage. Underscoring the government’s commitment to Nari Shakti, he shared that 50 films directed by women will be showcased, reflecting the growing prominence, participation, and excellence of women filmmakers within the industry, inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Masterclass Series has drawn participants from multiple countries including Australia, Japan, Germany, and Canada, emphasizing its widening global reach and relevance in contemporary filmmaking. This year’s edition promises a rich spectrum of learning opportunities through panel discussions, interactive workshops, roundtable sessions, fireside chats, and interviews designed to deepen understanding of the craft. Acclaimed film personalities such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anupam Kher, Muzaffar Ali, Shad Ali, Shekhar Kapur, Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir Khan, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Suhasini Maniratnam will lead various sessions, making the lineup one of the most dynamic and influential in IFFI’s history.

Setting an inspiring tone, renowned filmmaker Shri Muzaffar Ali conducted the first session of the series, offering participants a glimpse into his rich cinematic philosophy. The Masterclass program this year will explore emerging and future-forward themes, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence in filmmaking, sustainability practices within the creative industry, and technical advancements in cinematography, visual effects, and special effects. Theatre acting workshops led by seasoned experts will further enhance the festival’s holistic focus on performance arts.

By blending global expertise with India’s cultural strengths, IFFI 2025 continues to evolve as a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking festival that celebrates the art of cinema while nurturing the next generation of storytellers.

Events in Goa

Pete Draper to Reveal the Magic Behind Movie VFX at the 56th IFFI

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Goa, October 2025 — The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is set to captivate cinema enthusiasts with a special session featuring renowned VFX Supervisor Pete Draper, whose visionary work has redefined visual storytelling in Indian cinema. Known for creating breathtaking visuals in cinematic blockbusters like Baahubali, RRR, and several international projects, Draper will take audiences behind the scenes to explore how technology and imagination combine to create movie magic.

At IFFI 2025, Draper will share insights into the evolving world of visual effects — from concept visualization and CGI integration to the seamless blending of digital environments with live action. His talk will highlight the creative and technical processes that transform directors’ visions into spectacular visual experiences.

A veteran in the field of digital artistry, Pete Draper has been instrumental in shaping the modern landscape of Indian VFX. His expertise spans a diverse range of cinematic styles, from historical epics to futuristic fantasies. His work on Baahubali and RRR showcased how Indian cinema could achieve Hollywood-level visual grandeur, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers and digital artists.

The 56th edition of IFFI continues to emphasize the confluence of art, technology, and innovation in cinema. Sessions like these not only offer a glimpse into the craftsmanship behind filmmaking but also celebrate the collaborative spirit that defines the film industry.

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the nodal agency behind IFFI, has consistently brought together global film experts, creative professionals, and cinema lovers to exchange ideas, explore new perspectives, and honor the evolving art of filmmaking.

Audiences attending IFFI 2025 can look forward to a captivating deep dive into the artistry of VFX — where imagination meets innovation, and the impossible becomes cinematic reality.

Entertainment

Netflix Debuts Generative AI for Visual Effects in El Eternauta

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Netflix has made a major breakthrough by using generative AI to create visual effects (VFX) in one of its original productions for the first time. Co‑CEO Ted Sarandos announced this during Netflix’s Q2 investor call, describing AI as “an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper.”


 The memory-making moment came in the Argentine sci-fi series El Eternauta, where the creative team needed a high-impact scene of a building collapsing in Buenos Aires. Traditional VFX would have been too costly, so Netflix’s in-house Eyeline Studios used AI to generate the sequence—delivering it ten times faster and at a fraction of the cost.

This marks the first time generative AI has been used in final, on-screen footage by Netflix. The move comes amid sensitive debates around AI in Hollywood following the 2023 actors’ and writers’ strikes, where creators voiced concerns about AI replacing human roles. Sarandos and fellow Co‑CEO Greg Peters emphasize that AI’s role is to support—not replace—creatives.


 Peters shared that Netflix is exploring additional AI applications, such as voice-activated search capabilities (“Find me a Psychological Thriller from the ’80s”) and AI-driven ad content creation—showing that AI’s role on the platform is poised to grow beyond VFX.


 Netflix’s first official use of generative AI on screen signals a shift in how content is produced—balancing cost-efficiency with creative ambition. The studio sees this as an evolution, not a replacement, empowering creators with new storytelling tools as AI becomes a mainstream part of filmmaking.

TechPulse

IICT Joins Forces with Global Tech Leaders to Launch AVGC-XR Courses in India

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) has officially launched admissions for its inaugural academic session, with classes set to begin in August 2025. With the creative economy booming globally, the institute is setting the stage for India to lead in the domains of Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).

Announced by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw at the WAVES Summit earlier this year, IICT is envisioned as a world-class institution fostering talent in digital creative technologies. What sets it apart is its strategic collaboration with industry giants like Google, Meta, Microsoft, YouTube, Adobe, NVIDIA, and JioStar. These tech leaders will not only support curriculum development but also provide industry training, internships, scholarships, and direct job placements for graduating students.

The institute’s first wave of courses includes:

  • 🎮 6 in Gaming
  • 🎞️ 4 in Post Production
  • ✍️ 8 in Animation, Comics, and XR

With a focus on immersive, hands-on learning, these courses aim to align with industry standards, preparing students for careers in global media, tech, and gaming companies.

IICT has also forged a key MoU with the University of York, UK, enabling students to access global certifications, research collaborations, and exchange opportunities, further enhancing the institute’s international credibility.

Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, the institute aims to position India as a global AVGC-XR hub. “We’re merging India’s immense creative potential with global standards. It’s a revolution in digital skill-building,” said Dr. Deoskar.

The institute will soon release its full curriculum, and admissions for the August 2025 batch are now open.

With India’s youth eager for high-growth careers and the AVGC-XR sector set to skyrocket, IICT is the launchpad for future creative innovators.