Indian animated film Desi Oon has won the prestigious Jury Award for Best Commissioned Film at the Annecy International Animation Festival 2025 in France. The festival is widely considered the world’s foremost event for animation.
Directed by celebrated animator Suresh Eriyat, Desi Oon has garnered multiple accolades across both national and international platforms. It recently bagged the Best Film award at the WAVES Awards of Excellence 2025 and was one of the top entries in the Create in India Challenge, an initiative by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) under the WAVES 2025 summit.
The Create in India Challenge attracted entries from more than 60 countries across 32 themed challenges, showcasing stories deeply rooted in Indian culture while leveraging cutting-edge animation technology. Over 750 finalists were featured at Creatosphere, a curated platform during WAVES 2025 held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai from May 1–4.
Desi Oon has also been shortlisted in the Film Craft Lions category at Cannes Lions 2025, further cementing its global acclaim. Among its growing list of recognitions are wins at the AICP Show 2025, with the film now archived at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), as well as two Golds at Good Ads Matter 2025, multiple trophies at the Kyoorius Creative Awards, and a coveted D&AD Wooden Pencil for design excellence.
Calling Desi Oon a “cultural milestone,” Anubhav Singh, the Ministry official overseeing the Create in India Challenge, said: “The Government of India remains committed to nurturing the AVGC-XR sector and positioning India as a global content creation powerhouse.”
Sanjay Khimesara, President of ASIFA India, a non-profit promoting the art of animation, VFX, and gaming, added:
“This win is not just Suresh Eriyat’s; it is India’s. Desi Oon reflects the soul of India in a frame-by-frame journey that blends humour, emotion, and artistry. It inspires a new generation of Indian creators to think big, stay rooted, and aim global.”
Organised by the Ministry of I&B in collaboration with ASIFA India, the WAVES Awards celebrate excellence in animation, VFX, and emerging media.