The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting hosted the BRICS WAVES Bazaar, a premier international marketplace for the creative economy, in Mumbai on August 6, 2026. The two-day event brings together over 500 delegates from BRICS member and partner countries, including government representatives, industry bodies, creators, producers, investors, broadcasters, OTT platforms, technology companies, startups, cultural institutions, and creative enterprises.
Cabinet Minister of Electronics, IT, AI and Culture for Maharashtra, Adv. Ashish Shelar, described the event as a "high-level, curated confluence designed to shape the future of the global creative economy" and emphasized India's positioning as a cultural and intellectual guiding light under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, with the 'Orange Economy' serving as a critical pillar where heritage, creativity, and commerce intersect.
Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Shri Chanchal Kumar stated that the BRICS WAVES Bazaar and the upcoming BRICS Film Festival at IFFI in November 2026 provide complementary platforms for business partnerships and film showcasing. He emphasized that BRICS countries possess vast reservoirs of stories, talent, audiences, technology, and enterprise, and the event aims to create stronger pathways for collaboration across film, television, animation, VFX, gaming, music, digital media, and emerging content formats. Kumar announced India's readiness to share its experience and work with BRICS partners to create stronger institutional and commercial linkages, supported through platforms like WAVES Bazaar, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, India Cine Hub, and initiatives for creator skilling and startups.
IFFI Festival Director Shri Ashutosh Gowariker extended an invitation for stakeholders to participate in IFFI 2026, which will showcase approximately 250 films across 8 curated sections. Joint Secretary of Ministry of External Affairs Shri Rajiv Bodwade provided significant economic data, noting that the creative economy contributes 3.1% to global GDP and generates over $1.4 trillion in international service exports.
The event program includes high-level conferences, keynote addresses, panel discussions, business networking sessions, and curated B2B meetings focusing on international co-production, content financing, digital transformation, intellectual property, women-led entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, public policy, and South-South collaboration. India has invited all BRICS member and partner countries to participate in the next edition of WAVES in Mumbai in 2027.