France and India Launch Multi-Year Initiative 'Desibel' to Support AVGC-XR Talent

India and France have expanded their bilateral cooperation in the creative sector with the launch of 'Desibel', a multi-year initiative aimed at promoting India's AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics and Immersive Content) industry globally.

The programme is introduced by the Embassy of France in India, the French Institute in India (IFI), and receives support from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The initiative was previously highlighted during the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India earlier this year.

Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, stated that France has become a pioneering partner in building cooperation with India within the AVGC-XR industry. He noted that the Indian creators involved in Desibel act as cultural bridges, carrying stories and innovation across borders.

Supported by a two-year grant, the Desibel programme brings together Indian cultural organizations spanning community libraries, publishing, and animation and XR sectors. The initiative is structured around four primary values: access, capacity-building, preservation, and international exchange. It aims to build sustainable pathways between Indian creators and the global creative ecosystem, with a particular focus on France.

To implement the programme across different levels, French organizers have partnered with three Indian entities: Kutumb Foundation, Westland Books, and Aniverse & Visual Arts Foundation (AVAF).

At the grassroots level, the Kutumb Foundation works alongside knowledge partner Free Libraries Network to distribute comics in multiple local languages and train librarians to enhance community reading experiences. Meanwhile, Westland Books is undertaking a publishing initiative through the India Comics Project, commissioning 24 Indian artists to adapt literary classics into graphic novels. Published under the newly established imprint Lattis, the first titles are scheduled for release in late 2026.

Additionally, the Aniverse & Visual Arts Foundation is facilitating international exposure for Indian animation, gaming, and XR talent through the AniMela Festival and the International Mifa Campus pitch lab. Throughout the programme, Indian and French mentors, artists, curators, and publishers collaborate on training and creative development.

"The launch of the Desibel initiative highlights the growing economic and cultural significance of India's AVGC-XR sector on the global stage. By bridging grassroots efforts with international mentorship and publishing opportunities, programmes like this create structured pathways for Indian creators to scale globally. For businesses and entrepreneurs in the creative economy, cross-border partnerships provide essential access to international markets, specialized training, and long-term sustainability." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes