IICT and VES to Strengthen India's VFX and AVGC-XR Ecosystem
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) has formed a strategic alliance with the Visual Effects Society (VES) India Section by officially agreeing to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the goal of enhancing India's AVGC-XR ecosystem through increased collaboration between industry and academia.
The collaboration combines IICT's dedication to education, research, and development in creative technologies with VES's extensive knowledge in visual effects, representing a noteworthy advancement in creating a talent pool prepared for the future demands of the industry.
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The collaboration between the two organizations will involve the implementation of various activities such as guest lectures, industry talks, workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship programs.
Additionally, the partnership will facilitate ecosystem engagements such as panel discussions, networking events, and talent showcases.
Dr. Vishwas Deoskar says, “This collaboration represents far more than an institutional partnership, it is a strategic step toward shaping the future of India’s VFX and creative technology ecosystem. As global demand for high-quality visual storytelling accelerates, India is uniquely positioned to emerge as a leading hub for VFX and digital content creation. By bringing together world-class industry expertise and a new generation of skilled talent, this initiative will contribute to building a robust, future-ready workforce, strengthening India’s role in the global value chain, and catalyzing the growth of the broader creative economy. Over time, such collaborations can significantly enhance India’s export potential, drive innovation-led growth, and create new opportunities across the AVGC-XR sector at scale.”
Furthermore, IICT will organize exclusive VES India film screenings at their state-of-the-art 4K laser projection theater with Dolby Atmos technology. Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, Chief Executive Officer of IICT, signed the Memorandum of Understanding alongside Rutul Patel, Chair of VES India Section, and Priyan Parab, Vice Chair of VES India Section.
Rutul Patel adds, "At VES India, we see this partnership with IICT as a meaningful step toward bridging industry and academia in a very real, hands-on way".
"It allows us to bring the local & the global VES community closer to emerging talent through workshops, portfolio reviews and screenings that reflect how the industry truly operates today. At the same time, it gives our members access to IICT’s world-class infrastructure, including their advanced theatre and LED volume stage, creating opportunities for deeper creative and technical collaboration".
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Priyan Parab adds, “The MoU with IICT is a forward-looking initiative that aligns with our vision of fostering collaboration and advancing creative technologies in India. Together, we aim to create meaningful platforms for learning, innovation, and global industry integration.”
IICT was designated as a National Center of Excellence for the AVGC-XR sector during the WAVES 2025 summit and was officially launched in Mumbai in July 2025 by Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, and Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
The institute is currently based at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) complex, where its first academic session began in September 2025. IICT currently provides 18 specialized programs in animation, VFX, gaming, comics, and XR, tailored to meet the needs of students, recent graduates, and individuals already working in the field.
The range of programs offered includes both two-year and one-year diploma courses, as well as shorter certification programs lasting from three to six months. The institute receives backing from key partnerships with international technology and media giants including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Netflix, NVIDIA, Adobe, YouTube, WPP, York University, and JioStudios.
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IICT is in the process of creating a more expansive campus at Film City, Goregaon, as a part of its strategic vision to establish India as a prominent center for the creative economy and digital content innovation on a global scale.