Best Filmmaking Schools & Courses in India

Who doesn’t love a good movie? However, if you truly call yourself a movie buff and are even seriously contemplating a career in filmmaking, you will be better off being well-prepared. While there are those who are born with a natural talent, being trained to pursue a career in any discipline is an absolute must.

Like many professional courses, filmmaking too is a popular choice among students. The field is more competitive than it has ever been and the Indian film industry is more welcoming of newer ideas, fresh talent and experimental subjects than it ever was.

If you’re reading this, you are surely already interested in this career.. Got a critical opinion of almost every movie you watch? What would you give for an opportunity to give your creative ideas the shape of a feature film?

There are opportunities galore these days especially with online platforms that allow you to showcase your filmmaking talent. However, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Go the whole nine yards. Plan a proper route to achieve your dreams. Of course, we are hinting at being trained by experts before you set out on your journey to become a filmmaker of solid repute.

There are various nuances you will need to learn, which include the arts of cinematography, editing, screenplay-writing, production, animation, acting and more. Where does your interest lie?

We put together a list of some of the most well-known institutes in India you should be considering if a career in cinema is what you want.

(This list of filmmaking schools is not ranked in any order)

Do you think filmmaking is the career for you? Discover if it’s the right fit for you with Mentoria’s holistic career assessment test! Mentoria helps you figure out which career best suits your personality, skills and interests so you can find your perfect fit!

1. Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune

About

The Film and Television Institute of India, Pune is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India and is aided by the Central Government of India. It is situated on the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company in Pune.

Courses Offered

• Direction & Screenplay
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound Recording & Sound Design
• Art Direction & Production Design
• Screen Acting
• Screen Writing
• Direction
• Electronic Cinematography
• Video Editing
• Sound Recording & Television Engineering

2. Satyajit Ray Film And Television Institute, Kolkata

About

SRFTI (Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute) was established in 1995 as an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India. It is based in Kolkata, West Bengal and has been named after the acclaimed film director, Satyajit Ray.

Courses Offered

• Producing for Film & Television
• Direction & Screenplay Writing
• Cinematography
• Sound Recording & Design
• Editing
• Animation Cinema
• Writing for electronic & digital media
• Electronic & digital media management
• Cinematography for electronic & digital media
• Direction & Producing for electronic & digital media
• Editing for electronic & digital media
• Sound for electronic & digital media

3. Centre for Research In Art Of Film And Television (CRAFT), Delhi

About

The Center for Research in Art of Film and Television (CRAFT), Delhi which is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation registered as a public charitable trust to impart quality education in the field of film, television, and other media arts through short and long-term courses with specialisation in various disciplines. It was established in the year 2009. This one has a low teacher-student ratio, with 10 seats per course.

Courses Offered

• Cinematography + Film Direction & Screenplay Writing
• Cinematography + Editing 
• Editing + Film Direction & Screenplay Writing 
• Acting & Modeling + Film Direction & Screenplay Writing 
• Film Direction & Screenplay Writing 
• Cinematography 
• Editing 
• Acting & Modeling 
• Sound Recording & Audio Engineering 
• Electronic Music Production 
• Creative Writing 
• TV Journalism & News Reading 
• Photography 
• Public Relations, Advertising & Event Management 
• Wedding Planning 
• Documentary Film Making 
• English Journalism 
• YouTube Film Making 
• Radio Jockey 
• Production Design Art Direction

4. L V Prasad Film And TV Academy, Chennai

About

LV Prasad Film and TV Academy (LVPA) was a part of the Prasad Group which was started by the renowned movie producer and director Shri L.V.Prasad and it is currently headed by his son Shri Ramesh Prasad. The students are provided the opportunity to direct many short films, advertisements etc. as a part of the curriculum.

Courses Offered

• Filmmaking
• Direction
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound Design & Music Production
• Digital Film Making 
• Acting
• Script Writing
• Screen Writing

Not sure what steps to take to make your dream of becoming a filmmaker into a reality? Speak to Mentoria’s expert career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance to help you achieve your career goals.

5. Whistling Woods International, Mumbai

About

The Whistling Woods International (WWI) is a film, communication and media arts institute located in Mumbai, India. The institute is promoted by Indian Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, Mukta Arts and Film City Mumbai. In July 2014, The Hollywood Reporter named Whistling Woods on its list as one of “The best film schools in the world”. The school was first ranked among the top 10 film schools by The Hollywood Reporter in 2010.

Courses Offered

• Film making
• Screenwriting
• Acting
• Media & Communication
• Music Production & Composition
• Direction
• Sound Design
• Series Writing

6. National Institute Of Film & Fine Arts, Kolkata

About

National Institute Of Film & Fine Arts (NIFFAR), Kolkata was founded in the year 1990 and is one of the oldest film schools in Kolkata. It is a registered non-profit organisation. It provides quality education as most of the faculty members are ex-perofessors of FTII. It is also a member of the National Film Archive, Government of India and affiliated by the Federation of Film Society of India.

Courses Offered

• Digital Cinema making
• Digital Cinema editing.
• Digital Cinematography.

• Digital Film making
• Digital Film editing.

• Advanced Acting
• Stage & Film Acting
• Screenplay Writing
• Sound Recording & Editing 
• Music Direction 

7. Digital Academy The Film School, Mumbai

About

Digital Academy The Film School, Mumbai is one of the reputed film schools in Mumbai and it has a collaboration with Mumbai University and the University of Westminster to provide graduate and PG courses in various fields.

Courses Offered

• Film & TV Direction & Production
• Cinematography
• Acting
• Film Making
• Sound Recording & Designing
• Film & TV Editing
• Screenplay Writing

8. Asian Academy Of Film And Television, Noida

About

Asian Academy Of Film And Television (AAFT), Noida was started in 1993 was is the first acting institute in South Asia to get ISO 9001:2000 certifications. It has alumni not only from India but across the globe. It offers diplomas and masters degrees in various categories. AAFT offers globally-accepted standards of media education in the field of film Making, Journalism, Performing Arts, Advertising, Acting, Interior Design, Dance, Digital Marketing, Animation and Fashion Design.

Courses Offered

• Cinema + Diploma in Acting
• Cinema + Diploma in Cinematography
• Cinema + Diploma in Direction
• Cinema + Diploma in Post-Production
• Cinema + Diploma in Sound editing

• Performing Arts (Music Production)
• Sound Design

9. Zee Institute Of Media Arts (ZIMA), Mumbai

About

Zee Institute Of Media Arts (ZIMA), Mumbai is owned by Zee Network, one of India’s leading media companies and is one of the leading acting schools in Mumbai. The opportunities for those studying in this school are more as the Zee Network itself has many television channels and produces movies also.

Courses Offered

• Film Making Visual Effects
• Compositing
• Digital Video & Audio Editing

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