Mumbai, May 1 (NationPress) The WAVES 2025 summit, India’s inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, received accolades from an Israeli diplomat and numerous artists on Thursday. They highlighted that this summit exemplifies India’s prowess and vitality within its film industry.

“WAVES 2025 epitomizes the strength of India and its cinematic landscape. I’m an avid admirer of Indian cinema; I frequently enjoy Indian films. The nation boasts remarkable artists, skilled actors and actresses, exceptional producers, and cutting-edge technology. This summit serves as an ideal venue for fostering collaboration,” stated Kobbi Shoshani, the Consul General of Israel to Midwest India, during an interview with IANS.

The four-day global summit commenced in Mumbai on Thursday with the theme ‘Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries’.

Bringing together over 10,000 delegates from more than 90 nations, including 1,000 creators, over 300 companies, and 350 startups, WAVES 2025 aims to position India as a global center for media, entertainment, and digital innovation.

Israeli actor Aki Avni, who was present at the summit, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for orchestrating the event.

“This is a brilliant initiative by PM Modi and his administration. It’s high time that the industry in India takes pride in itself because it’s an extraordinary field that stands on its own. It’s time for technology to merge with traditional cinema. This shift is already underway, so why not advance further?” Aki Avni remarked to IANS.

Avni emphasized that technology is now indispensable to the film industry.

“There’s no alternative. Those who fail to recognize this integration will be left behind. We are here to take a step forward,” Avni added.

Indian television actress Rupali Ganguly also expressed her excitement.

“I’m thrilled to be part of such a significant and groundbreaking summit. It was a privilege to be in the presence of our esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and distinguished figure Ashwini Vaishnaw,” she shared.

Earlier that day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit and delivered a keynote address to a large audience of artists, creators, policymakers, and investors from over 100 countries.

Describing WAVES as a transformative platform for global creative collaboration, PM Modi stated: “Artists, investors, innovators, and policymakers from over 100 nations have gathered in Mumbai. Today, we are laying the groundwork for a global ecosystem of talent and creativity. WAVES is not merely an acronym; it represents a wave of culture, connectivity, and universal engagement.”

The Prime Minister further noted that WAVES constitutes a global platform that belongs to every artist and creator, where individuals will connect to the creative world through innovative ideas.

The summit features 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout discussions, and 32 masterclasses focusing on films, OTT platforms, broadcasting, and the AVGC-XR sectors, including animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality.

A standout event at WAVES 2025 is the Global Media Dialogue, hosted by India for the first time, featuring ministerial participation from 25 nations. This dialogue aims to enhance India’s collaborative involvement with the international media and entertainment sectors.

Another major highlight is the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace designed to encourage collaboration among over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects. This marketplace fosters both local and international networking, allowing creators and companies to explore new markets and establish strategic partnerships.

This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi's broader vision to harness India's creative and technological capabilities to lead the global digital and entertainment economy. WAVES 2025 aspires to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029 and elevate India’s cultural and economic standing on the world stage.