What is Bengaluru GAFX 2026, Asia's Largest Conference on Animation and Visual Effects?
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Bengaluru, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Karnataka government, alongside the Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI) and Startup Karnataka, has officially unveiled the seventh iteration of Bengaluru GAFX 2026, the largest annual conference and exhibition in Asia dedicated to animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, XR, and immersive interactive content.
Taking place from February 27 to March 1 at Hotel Lalit Ashok in Bengaluru, this event promises to unite creators, studios, technologists, investors, and industry leaders from the global media and entertainment sector.
During the launch event, Priyank Kharge, the state's Minister of Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science and Technology, stated, "For more than a decade, Bengaluru GAFX has been pivotal in advancing India’s AVGC sector—uniting talent, technology, policy, and global opportunities on one platform."
He further noted, "'Evolution Reloaded' symbolizes Karnataka’s belief that the next phase of AVGC growth will be fueled by the fusion of advanced technology and human creativity. GAFX embodies our vision to establish Karnataka as a global leader in creative technology and next-generation storytelling."
Dr. Manjula N., Secretary of Electronics, IT, BT, and Science and Technology, stated, "Bengaluru GAFX exemplifies Karnataka’s enduring commitment to cultivating a future-ready AVGC ecosystem throughout the entire value chain—from skill development and infrastructure to startups and global market access. Through targeted initiatives like the AVGC-XR Policy and the Centre of Excellence, we are converting policy goals into tangible industry results and international partnerships."
ABAI President Biren Ghose remarked, "Bengaluru GAFX, in collaboration with the Karnataka government, has transformed how the world perceives Indian creative talent. 'Evolution Reloaded' signifies our assertion that the future of storytelling belongs to those who can harness new intelligence, including AI. GAFX is where that future begins to take shape."
Karnataka leads India's 'Orange Economy', where creativity, culture, and cutting-edge technology intersect. With Bengaluru’s rich talent pool in digital content, gaming, VFX, XR, AI, and real-time technologies, the state contributes nearly 20 percent of the nation's media and entertainment industry, housing over 300 AVGC-XR studios and employing approximately 15,000 professionals, supported by a robust freelance and gig ecosystem.