Mumbai: Arena Animation, a pioneer in animation, gaming, visual effects, and digital media education and a training brand of Aptech Limited, has announced the launch of a new program titled IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation under its flagship initiative Arena Originals.
The IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation program is a first-of-its-kind studio-collaborated initiative aimed at nurturing intellectual property development and storytelling talent within India’s animation ecosystem.
The IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation program has been launched in exclusive partnership with Vaibhav Studios, led by International Emmy-nominated filmmaker Vaibhav Kumaresh.
Through this collaboration, Arena Animation and Vaibhav Studios aim to bridge the gap between creative ideation and commercial monetisation in animation.
The IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation initiative provides a structured pathway for aspiring creators, students, and professionals to develop, produce, and own their original animation content.
Also Read: Arena Animation Partners with Adobe to Empower the Next Generation of Digital Creators
Shift Toward Ownership-Driven Content Creation
The IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation program reflects a strategic shift in India’s animation education landscape—from traditional skill-based training to ownership-driven creative production.
With this program, Arena Animation seeks to encourage creators to build original intellectual properties rather than only contributing to outsourced global animation projects.
The Indian animation sector has been undergoing a significant transformation. Historically, Indian studios largely functioned as service hubs for international productions.
However, the success of homegrown intellectual properties such as The Legend of Hanuman and the growing global popularity of animated titles like Kurukshetra have signalled a shift toward original content creation.
Streaming platforms are increasingly seeking diverse genres and culturally rooted visual storytelling formats. This shift is being driven by an expanding domestic audience interested in layered narratives, spanning mythological storytelling to futuristic animation genres. The IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation program aims to position creators to participate in this evolving content economy.
Six-Month Intensive Program with Industry Mentorship
The IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation program is structured as a six-month intensive course delivered in virtual mode to ensure accessibility across India. To maintain high standards of mentorship and interaction, batch size will be limited to a maximum of 40 students.
Admission to the IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation program will be governed by a strict assessment process. Prospective candidates must clear a creative evaluation before receiving a provisional admission letter.
This approach aims to identify talented individuals capable of navigating the complexities of professional intellectual property development.
The entire IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation program will be delivered by Vaibhav Kumaresh and his team at Vaibhav Studios. Established in 2003, the studio is known for producing widely recognized animated content, including the Vodafone Zumi campaign and the International Emmy-nominated animated series Lamput.
Also Read: Union Budget 2026-27 Boosts AVGC Skilling, GDAI Eyes $10 Billion Gaming Exports by 2035
IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation: Curriculum Designed Around Real Industry Pipelines
The IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation curriculum is divided into three phases, designed to mirror professional animation pipelines.
- Ideation and Pitching: Participants brainstorm ideas, develop story concepts for multiple animation formats, and receive mentorship from experts at Vaibhav Studios.
- Production and Management: This stage introduces learners to key aspects of professional production including legal entity formation, taxation frameworks, and intellectual property protection.
- Industry Pitch: In the final phase, teams present their developed pilot concepts to a curated panel of industry experts and distributors.
Vaibhav Kumaresh, Founder and Creative Director of Vaibhav Studios, said: “The challenge for animation creators is not lack of ideas. The challenge lies in nurturing these ideas into properties that have the potential to be monetized.
The IP Creation and Storytelling Program in collaboration with Vaibhav Studios, under Arena Originals, is a first of its kind program. It is designed to provide a platform for creators where their original ideas will be mentored by veterans in the space of IP creation.”
Strengthening India’s Position in the Global Content Economy
According to Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer, Global Retail at Aptech Limited and Brand Custodian at Arena Animation, the IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation initiative is aimed at enabling creators to build monetizable intellectual properties.
“With the launch of Arena Originals, we are empowering our students to move beyond technical execution and take rightful ownership of their creative ideas as Intellectual Property. The first initiative for animation students, in exclusive partnership with Vaibhav Studios, provides the mentorship and commercial roadmap necessary to turn artistic passion into sustainable, monetizable assets. By fostering a new generation of IP creators, we are strengthening India’s position in the global content economy and ensuring our learners lead in the animation industry as visionary entrepreneurs.”
Alignment with India’s Growing Creator Economy
The launch of the IP Creation and Storytelling in Animation program also aligns with the rapid growth of India’s creator economy. Recent data from platforms such as YouTube and Meta indicate that India has more than 100 million creators, making it one of the largest creator ecosystems globally.
However, research by Kotak Mutual Fund and Boston Consulting Group suggests that only 8% to 10% of creators in India currently monetize their content effectively.
