WAVES India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge

The WAVES India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge is an initiative under the Create in India challenges, aimed at showcasing the beauty and diversity of India through aerial cinematography. It is organized by Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The competition encourages drone pilots and filmmakers to create 2–3-minute high-quality videos capturing India’s landscapes, heritage, and vibrant life from a bird’s-eye view.

Key Highlights

This challenge is a key event leading up to the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), scheduled to take place from 1st to 4th May 2025 in Mumbai. The WAVES summit is a global event designed to bring together the Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry, with four major focus areas,

Broadcasting & Infotainment

• AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality)
• Digital Media & Innovation
• Films
• The Bird’s Eye View Challenge is a part of the Broadcasting & Infotainment category, reflecting the evolution of media, storytelling, and content dissemination.

Key Highlights

• Organizers: BECIL & Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• Total Registrations (as of 15th February 2025): 956
• Event Part of: World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES)
• Summit Venue: Jio World Convention Centre and Jio World Gardens, Mumbai
• Summit Dates: 1st – 4th May 2025
• Part of: Create in India Challenges (which has over 73,000 registrations)
• Submission Deadline: 15th March 2025
• Eligible Category: Namo Drone Didi participants

Participation Guidelines

• Video must be shot using advanced drone technology with high-definition visuals.
• It should have a compelling voice-over and professionally crafted musical score.
• The video must be original, created specifically for the challenge.
• It must showcase India’s landscapes, culture, or themes provided by the competition.
• File format should be MP4/MPEG-4 or MOV.
• Copyright will belong to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting/WAVES.

Evaluation Criteria

• Visual Quality – Clarity, resolution, and aesthetics of the video.
• Creativity – Unique storytelling and engaging cinematography.
• Technical Execution – Proper use of drone technology and editing.
• Relevance to Theme – Alignment with India’s diversity and cultural heritage.
• Overall Impact – Emotional and cinematic appeal.

Rewards and Recognition

• Recognition at WAVES 2025.
• Showcasing of winning entries at the summit.
• Opportunities for networking and collaboration in the M&E industry.

Conclusion

• The WAVES India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge is a prestigious platform for showcasing India’s beauty and progress through aerial cinematography. It aligns with India’s goal of becoming a global hub for media, technology, and creativity. The event is expected to celebrate innovation and artistic excellence, fostering a new era of visual storytelling in the country.