Home to one of the world’s most prolific film industries, India is a cultural hub that attracts film enthusiasts from around the world. Indian cinema has a global audience that continues to appreciate the diverse and unique styles of filmmaking that reflect the country’s rich cultural background.
“Bollywood,” the Hindi-language film industry, produces some of the country’s most widely recognized motion pictures. In India, however, Bollywood is not the only center of filmmaking. According to India’s 2011 Census language data, the country has 121 languages with 10,000 or more speakers, and India’s regional film industries reflect that diversity. What better location to dive into the art of filmmaking than a country with such a rich cinematic history? India’s film schools have played a role in shaping talent behind the camera, offering training for the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers.
Here are some well-known film schools in India that can help students build a strong foundation for a career in filmmaking.
Top Film Schools in India
1. Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Master’s Programs, Postgraduate Certificates, Undergraduate Certificate
The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) is one of India’s most recognized public film institutions. It was set up by the Government of India in 1960 at the former Prabhat Studios campus in Pune and has been associated with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In 2025, FTII was also granted Deemed-to-be-University status by India’s Ministry of Education.
FTII’s current course list includes Film Wing programs in Direction and Screenplay Writing, Cinematography, Editing, Sound Recording and Sound Design, Art Direction and Production Design, Screen Acting, and Screenwriting for Film, TV, and Web Series. Its Television Wing includes programs in Direction, Electronic Cinematography, Video Editing, and Sound Recording and TV Engineering, along with an Undergraduate Certificate Course in Animation and Visual Effects Design. Several master’s and postgraduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline, while Art Direction and Production Design has a more specific undergraduate background requirement.
FTII is located in Pune on the grounds of the former Prabhat Studio, which shifted to Pune in 1933. The institute continues to use the heritage buildings and resources of that iconic studio campus.
2. Asian Academy of Film and Television
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diplomas, Certificates
The Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) offers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and short-term programs across cinema, media, and creative fields. Its cinema-related offerings include bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as diploma and certificate options.
AAFT reports more than 33 years in education, 90 professional programs, a 30,000-member alumni network, students from more than 120 countries, and over 1,000 celebrity interactions. AAFT’s own website also states that its School of Cinema has been ranked 10th in a world ranking and refers to a top-10 global list by Cine Premiere magazine; because this is presented on AAFT’s site, it is best treated as an institutional claim rather than an independent current ranking.
The core advisory council listed by AAFT includes prominent film and media figures such as Boney Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, and Prof. Karl Bardosh. Students who enroll in a program here can benefit from the school’s industry-facing approach and creative network.
3. Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute
Named after internationally acclaimed Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who received an Honorary Academy Award, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) was established by the Government of India in 1995 as an autonomous educational institution under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
SRFTI offers advanced training in film, television, and electronic and digital media. Its current study options include the MFA in Cinema and the MFA in Electronic and Digital Media. The MFA in Cinema is structured as a one-year bridge program followed by a two-year MFA, with specializations in Producing for Film and Television, Direction and Screenplay Writing, Cinematography, Sound Recording and Design, Editing, and Animation Cinema. The MFA in Electronic and Digital Media is a two-year program with specializations such as Writing, Management, Cinematography, Direction and Producing, Editing, and Sound.
SRFTI’s current course information states that applicants generally need a graduate degree in any discipline, with additional requirements for some specializations. The institute also has limited seats for foreign students, with applications routed through the Indian High Commission or Embassy and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
4. Whistling Woods International
Since its inception in 2006, Whistling Woods International, located in Mumbai’s Filmcity Complex, has continued to build recognition in film, communication, and creative media education. The institute was founded by filmmaker Subhash Ghai and is promoted by Mukta Arts.
Whistling Woods International states that The Hollywood Reporter ranked it among the world’s top 10 film schools in 2010, 2013, and 2014. Because newer Hollywood Reporter international film-school lists have since been published, this recognition should be understood as historical rather than a current ranking.
Current programs include options in filmmaking, screenwriting, acting, media communication and management, visual communication, fashion design, animation, game design, music production and composition, and related creative fields. As an international student, you can explore programs that combine academic study with industry-facing practical training.
5. Annapurna International School of Film and Media
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Certificates
Annapurna International School of Film and Media is now publicly branded as Annapurna College of Film and Media (ACFM). The Hyderabad-based college is located within the Annapurna Studios campus, a film hub founded by Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The college states that it is one of the few film schools in India located inside a working studio environment.
ACFM currently lists degree programs such as B.A. (Hons) Filmmaking and M.A. Filmmaking, along with certificate courses in areas such as film acting, 3D animation, filmmaking, 3D animation and VFX, advanced compositing, and screenwriting. Its public materials describe hands-on learning on real sets, professional equipment, sound and post-production facilities, and industry mentorship.
The college’s current public pages highlight mentors and industry figures such as Kabir Khan, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Rajkumar Hirani, Sudeep Chatterjee, P. S. Vinod, Santosh Sivan, Shobu Yarlagadda, Allu Aravind, Beena Paul, Aarti Bajaj, Swapna Dutt, M. M. Keeravani, Bishwadeep Chatterjee, and others. Being able to study in a working studio setting can help students gain practical exposure to filmmaking and media production.
Flying overseas to pursue your passion for filmmaking can be one of the biggest decisions you make. Determining which program, university, or country to choose can feel intimidating. As home to one of the world’s most prolific film industries, India offers a range of film education options for students with different creative interests.
We hope this article on the best Film schools in India was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Asia Scholarships Page and Available Programs for International Students!
