MAAC (Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity) recently concluded the Mumbai edition of its flagship interactive seminar, MAAC Manifest 2026, bringing together students and industry experts from the fields of animation, VFX, gaming, content creation, and artificial intelligence.
Held at Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan, Thane, the event was attended by over 400 students from Thane, Kalyan, Mulund, and nearby regions. The seminar was conducted in the presence of Sandip Weling, Wholetime Director & Chief Business Officer, Aptech Limited, Abir Aich, Executive Vice President, New Technologies, Aptech Limited, and Pankaj Daware, Business Partner & Centre Director, MAAC Kalyan & Mulund.
Positioned as one of India’s largest interactive seminars for creative professionals, MAAC Manifest Mumbai aimed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry-ready skills by offering students direct access to leading professionals and emerging industry trends.
The event featured sessions on gaming, interactive technology, artificial intelligence, and creative careers. Laxmi Khanolkar, CEO, Apar Games, shared insights on gaming and interactive technologies, while Sahil Nayar, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Prismix Studios, discussed the impact of AI on creative production. Canon India also presented a session on how major brands discover and collaborate with creative talent.
Speaking at the event, Sandip Weling, Wholetime Director & Chief Business Officer, Aptech Limited said, “The AVGC and creative careers sector is witnessing strong growth, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality digital content across films, gaming, advertising, and emerging immersive platforms. At MAAC, our focus goes beyond technical training -we aim to nurture creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, and industry adaptability among students. MAAC Manifest serves as an important platform where learners gain exposure to evolving technologies, global production standards, and real-world workflows, enabling them to transition seamlessly into professional environments.”
He further added, “To further this vision, we are delighted to introduce Creator X and Career X- innovative, industry-led dual pathways designed to help students monetise their skills through employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. While Career X focuses on enhancing industry readiness and career opportunities, Creator X empowers aspiring creators to become entrepreneurs by building multi-platform content ventures.”
The forum also hosted a panel discussion featuring industry leaders from NYVFXwala, 88 Pictures, Apar Games, and Assemblage Studios, who shared perspectives on talent development and the future of the AVGC-XR sector.
A special Alumni Felicitation ceremony recognized the achievements of over 100 MAAC alumni who are contributing to the media and entertainment industry, reinforcing the institute’s focus on career-driven education and industry success.
By combining technical expertise, industry insights, and emerging technologies, MAAC Manifest Mumbai 2026 provided students with valuable exposure to the evolving creative ecosystem while helping them prepare for careers in India’s growing AVGC-XR industry.
