Shaping the Future of Storytelling, One Reel at a Time
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 11, 2025: The WAVES 2025 “Reel Making” Challenge is a unique competition that empowers creators and enthusiasts to showcase their storytelling skills using Meta’s tools through a concise 30-90-second film format. Organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the challenge has received an overwhelming response, with 3,379 registrations from across India and 20 countries as of February 5, 2025. It provides a platform for digital creators to experiment, innovate, and push the boundaries of short-form content.
This challenge is part of the Create in India Challenges, a flagship initiative under the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), which will be held from 1st to 4th May 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens, Mumbai. WAVES is a premier global platform fostering discussions, collaboration, and innovation in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry. Bringing together industry leaders and stakeholders, the summit will explore emerging opportunities, address challenges, and strengthen India’s position as a global creative hub. With over 70,000 registrations across 31 competitions, the Create in India Challenges continue to fuel creativity, talent, and international participation.
WAVES 2025: Uniting Creators Worldwide
The “Reel Making” Challenge, launched as a key initiative under WAVES 2025, underscores India’s emergence as a global hub for media and entertainment while reflecting the rapid growth of its digital creator economy. It aligns with the Government of India’s “Create in India” vision, fostering talent from across the nation and beyond.
The challenge has attracted notable international participation from countries including Afghanistan, Albania, the United States, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, UAE, Australia, and Germany, among others. This global reach highlights India’s increasing influence in the creative sector and the growing appeal of WAVES as a premier platform for content creators worldwide.
Domestically, entries have come from diverse and remote locations across India, such as Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Dimapur (Nagaland), Kargil (Ladakh), Leh, Shopian (Kashmir), Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Teliamura (Tripura), Kasaragod (Kerala), and Gangtok (Sikkim). The strong response from smaller towns and emerging creative hubs showcases India’s rich storytelling traditions and thriving digital ecosystem.
Participants above the age of 20 are required to create reels on themes such as “Viksit Bharat,” highlighting India’s technological and infrastructure advancements, and “India @ 2047,” envisioning the nation’s future growth. These themes provide a platform for storytellers to capture India’s innovation journey, demonstrating their creativity and vision for the country’s progress.
