At Goafest, everyone is simultaneously networking, celebrating, surviving on caffeine, and pretending they’re definitely making it to the first session the next morning. So, for Day 3 of our Young Guns coverage, we asked attendees the only logical question: Which meme best describes your time at the fest? The answers captured everything Goafest stands for, including creative highs, award-night nerves, chaotic schedules, and the very real belief that this could be your main character moment.
Ishanya Preetham, Group Account Manager, tgthr said, “Goafest is basically a mix of multiple things. There’s the professional side, where we talk to industry insiders and network with colleagues our age from different agencies. At the same time, we celebrate the boundaries being pushed every year. It’s a bit of learning and a bit of partying. Just all of us letting loose after working hard.
Basically, every awards night at Goafest feels like this. We’re all stressed, excited. There’s anticipation also, but ultimately there’s relief because our work is getting the recognition after months of work.”
Akansha Rai, Assistant Manager, Tribes Communications said, “Goafest 2026 felt like the ‘Main Character Energy’ meme. Everyone walked in like they were about to win Campaign of the Year, survive three after-parties, network with half the industry, and still make it to the first session next morning. Pure chaos, confidence, caffeine, and content—all happening simultaneously.”
Sainath Gawade, Lead Motion and AI, Enormous said, “This is my third year at Goafest, and it’s the only award show I attend with my colleagues from the agency. It’s like we work together all year, and then this becomes the one official Goa plan everyone commits to. We were Agency of the Year last year, and this year, we’re trying our best to defend it.”
Compiled by Anaum Shaikh
