Aptech Limited, a pioneer in the non-formal vocational training business in the country for over 38 years, has recently announced its partnership with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoI&B) at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa 2024. The partnership is strategic in nature, as it has committed to a 3-year collaboration to nurture and promote talent in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics (AVGC), and Media and entertainment industries.
As the title sponsor for IFFI Goa’s Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) event, scheduled from November 21-24, 2024, Aptech collaborated with NFDC to offer a skilling booth for attendees participating in filmmaking. The initiative focused on training youth and aspirants keen to make their careers in the AVGC sector. Its flagship brands, including Arena Animation, Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity (MAAC), Lakmé Academy powered by Aptech, & The Virtual Production Academy, offer attendees and students an immersive and hands-on experience in animation, visual effects, theatrical beauty and fashion, among others.
Neeraj Malik, Chief Business Officer (Enterprise Business Group), Aptech Limited, said:
India has immensely talented and passionate individuals who want to work in the creative field but need more skill sets to take up these opportunities professionally. There is no dearth of jobs in the market, but a gap exists in having that passion and bearing the skills required to pursue it. At Aptech, we believe in unleashing the potential and adding value to the nation’s overall skill-building and workforce development. IFFI Goa’sGoa’s platform aligns perfectly with this mission as this international festival has been at the pinnacle of creativity and filmmaking in India. We are honoured to contribute to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting & NFDC’s mission with Film Bazaar and Creative Minds of Tomorrow in identifying these talents and creating an ecosystem that offers opportunities for the creative workforce of tomorrow!
Malik was also part of a panel discussion titled “The Evolution of Digital Filmmaking: Building Skills for Tomorrow”, that took place on November 23, 2024, at the Knowledge Series segment of Film Bazaar, the business arm of IFFI. The panel was moderated by Vijay Vikram Singh, an Indian Voice Actor (voice of Bigg Boss India), and had esteemed guests, including Shri. Sanjiv Shankar, Joint Secretary, Ministry I&B; Mahima Kaul, Director, Public Policy, Netflix; Biren Ghose, Managing Director – Asia Pacific & Global Excom Member for Technicolor Group and Shri. Pankaj Saxena, Head of Department, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The discussion explored recent changes in the AVGC & Media & Entertainment sectors, the evolution of digital filmmaking and technological innovations in India, and the skills needed for incoming talent to excel.
The association aims to identify young Indian cinematic talents, provide them a global platform to display their voices, acknowledge excellence across filmmaking disciplines, and nurture forward-thinking storylines that reflect India’s aspirations. The CMOT talent program, launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B) and the National Film Development Council (NFDC), includes over 100 participants in 13 filmmaking categories. Participants can access master workshops, panel discussions, and industry insights at Film Bazaar, IFFI’s business arm.
Pankaj Saxena, Head of Department, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), added:
We are proud to collaborate with Aptech as the exclusive Skilling Partner for IFFI Goa 2024. Aptech’s work and contribution to the overall AVGC and Media & Entertainment sector over the last 4 decades has been noteworthy, and they have been successful catalysts in ensuring top-notch and well-trained talent enters the M&E workforce. At NFDC, our vision is to build an accessible and innovative platform to attract talent in the M&E workforce. We are optimistic that this collaboration with Aptech will help us achieve this in the long term.
Aptech’s sectoral experience and innovative approach will be exhibited at IFFI Goa 2024 through key event activities, brand integration, and speaking engagements. The agreement strengthens its commitment to the media, entertainment, and digital media industries, reaffirming its vision of long-term growth and new techniques.
Aptech Limited, founded in 1986, has successfully ventured into a variety of sectors, including IT training, media and entertainment, virtual production, beauty and wellness, retail and aviation, and the preschool segment, among others. Under Individual Training, the organization offers career and professional training through its multi brands- Aptech Computer Education, Arena Animation & Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (both in Animation & Multimedia), Lakmé Academy powered by Aptech (beauty & grooming), Aptech Hardware & Networking Academy, Aptech Aviation & Hospitality Academy, Aptech English Learning Academy, Aptech International Preschool amongst others.
