Film Making Courses: Diploma, Degree Programs and Eligibility
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Film making courses in India are available across Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate (BA/BSc/BVA), and Postgraduate (MA/MVA/PG Diploma) levels, with total fees ranging from INR 3,500 to INR 14,64,000 depending on the institution.
With at least 166 colleges offering specialized tracks across India, students can choose programs tailored to roles like direction, cinematography, and scriptwriting. The guide below breaks down eligibility rules, fee structures, government and private college choices, career prospects, and step-by-step admission procedures.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Minimum passing marks in 10+2 (for UG/Diploma) or Bachelor’s Degree (for PG) |
| Course Levels | Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Undergraduate (BA, BSc, BVA), Postgraduate (MA, MVA, PG Diploma) |
| Average Fees Range | INR 3,500 to INR 14,64,000 |
| Top Film Hub | Mumbai (Bollywood) |
| Average Starting Salary Range | INR 80,000 to INR 4,00,000 per annum |
List of Film Making Courses
Academic programs in filmmaking span multiple duration levels to suit different career goals. Candidates can opt for short-term filmmaking courses to acquire targeted skills quickly, or enroll in comprehensive degree programs for in-depth theoretical and practical learning. Options include certificate programs, undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc, BVA), postgraduate degrees (MA, MVA), and diploma credentials.
| College / Institute Name | Course Name | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai University (MU) | BA (Hons) in Professional Filmmaking | 22,000 |
| University of Mumbai [MU] | BA in Film, TV, and New Media Production | 2,25,000 |
| Kishinchand Chellaram College | BA in Film, TV, New Media, and Production | 1,08,000 |
| Garware Institute of Career Education and Development | BA in Multimedia (Film Arts) | 14,64,000 |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University | BSc in Film Technology | 30,000 |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University | BVA in Film Technology | 1,66,100 |
| Whistling Woods International (WWI) | BA in Cinematography | 2,00,000 |
| Thakur College of Science and Commerce | BA in Film, Television, and New Media Production | 1,57,000 |
| Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment | BA in Film Production | 14,63,870 |
| Atharva Institute of Film and Television | BA in Film Making and Television Production | 2,25,000 |
| Amity University | BA in Filmmaking | 9,36,000 |
| Global Indian Institute of Film Making | BA in Filmmaking | 7,00,000 |
| Saroj Institute of Films and Fashion | BSc in Direction | 4,50,000 |
| Saroj Institute of Films and Fashion | BSc in Cinematography | 4,50,000 |
| Saroj Institute of Films and Fashion | BA in Acting | 4,50,000 |
Fees for Film Making Courses
The total fee for filmmaking programs depends heavily on the ownership type, infrastructure, and duration of the course. Across government colleges, the median total course fee is ₹1.46 lakh, with the middle half ranging between ₹54,185 and ₹2.21 lakh based on available data. In contrast, private colleges feature a median total course fee of ₹3.46 lakh, with the middle half spanning between ₹1.91 lakh and ₹5.84 lakh.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calicut University | Calicut | Government | ₹7,970 |
| CSJM Kanpur University | Kanpur | Government | ₹1.00 lakh |
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | Government | ₹1.46 lakh |
| Film and Television Institute of India | Pune | Government | ₹1.77 lakh |
| Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology | Kolkata | Government | ₹2.64 lakh |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | Private | ₹6.84 lakh |
| Doon Business School | Dehradun | Private | ₹5.50 lakh |
| Karnavati University | Gandhi Nagar | Private | ₹9.00 lakh |
| St. Claret College | Bangalore | Private | ₹2.78 lakh |
| George College | Kolkata | Private | ₹3.16 lakh |
| LISAA School of Design Bangalore | Bangalore | Private | ₹1.65 lakh |
| Institute of Management Study | Kolkata | Private | ₹3.85 lakh |
| CREO Valley School of Film and Television | Bangalore | Private | ₹2.00 lakh |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Arts and Science | Idukki | Private | ₹1.05 lakh |
| IIFA Lancaster Degree College | Bangalore | Private | ₹3.75 lakh |
| College / Institute Name | Course Name | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Akbar Peerbhoy College of Commerce and Economics | Diploma in Creative Script Writing | 3,500 |
| Filmit Academy | Film Direction Short Course | 18,000 |
| Placing Dreams Film & Television Institute | Diploma in Film Making | 20,000 |
| Placing Dreams Film & Television Institute | Certification in Film Making | 40,000 |
| Filmit Academy | Film Making Course | 45,000 |
| Mumbai Film Academy | Certification Course in Film Making | 86,000 |
| Mumbai Film Academy | Diploma in Film Technology | 1,36,000 |
| Seamedu – School of Pro Expressionism | Diploma in Film Making | 1,74,000 |
| Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment | Advanced Certification in Film Making | 1,85,000 |
| Mumbai Educational Trust (MET) | Advanced Diploma in Film Making | 3,75,000 |
| Pearl Academy | Professional Program in Digital Film Making | 3,95,270 |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 18 | ₹1.46 lakh – ₹13.84 lakh | Mumbai University, Amity University Mumbai |
| Pune | 17 | ₹60,000 – ₹14.19 lakh | MIT World Peace University, DES Pune University |
| Bangalore | 16 | ₹1.20 lakh – ₹6.00 lakh | REVA University, RV University |
| Kolkata | 15 | ₹74,000 – ₹4.80 lakh | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, George College |
| Hyderabad | 9 | ₹75,000 – ₹2.55 lakh | Dhruva Degree College, Roots Collegium |
| Noida | 5 | ₹80,000 – ₹6.69 lakh | Amity University Noida, Sharda University |
| Delhi | 5 | ₹1.61 lakh – ₹4.00 lakh | Jamia Hamdard University, Arena Animation GTB Nagar |
| Navi Mumbai | 5 | ₹2.22 lakh – ₹2.23 lakh | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, School of Design and Arts, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Bhubaneswar | — | ₹98,000 | 17 (Overall, 2025) |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | Private | ₹6.84 lakh | 19 (Overall, 2025) |
| Amity University Noida | Noida | — | ₹4.77 lakh | 22 (Overall, 2025) |
| Calicut University | Calicut | Government | ₹7,970 | 38 (Overall, 2025) |
| Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam | Kottayam | — | ₹61,685 | 43 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jamia Hamdard University | Delhi | — | ₹4.00 lakh | 47 (Overall, 2025) |
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | Government | ₹1.46 lakh | 54 (Overall, 2025) |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University | Pune | — | ₹11.00 lakh | 59 (Overall, 2025) |
| Sharda University | Noida | — | ₹6.69 lakh | 87 (Overall, 2025) |
| Kalinga University | Raipur | — | ₹1.30 lakh | 101 (Overall, 2023) |
Career Options and Salary
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Video Editor | 2,00,000 – 4,00,000 |
| Camera Assistant | 2,00,000 – 3,00,000 |
| Cameraman | 80,000 – 3,00,000 |
| Videographer | 2,00,000 – 3,00,000 |
| Cinematographer | 1,00,000 – 2,00,000 |
| Motion Control Operator | 96,000 – 1,00,000 |
| Camera Production Assistant | 90,000 – 1,00,000 |
Top hiring sectors for filmmaking graduates include Doordarshan, film studios, television studios, fashion studios, event management sectors, advertisement agencies, and art studios. Video editors earn average annual salaries ranging between INR 2,00,000 and INR 4,00,000.
How to Choose a Film Making Course
Selecting the right program requires balancing budget constraints, geographic advantage, and individual specialization preferences. Consider the following criteria when evaluating options:
- Location and Industry Access: Studying in media hubs like Mumbai provides access to active production sets, studios, and networking opportunities.
- Specialization Focus: Choose courses aligned specifically with your goal, such as BSc in Direction (INR 4,50,000 at Saroj Institute) or MA in Screenwriting (INR 1,00,000 at Whistling Woods).
- Faculty Credentials: Look for institutes where courses are led by industry veterans or graduates of premier bodies like FTII and NSD.
- Course Fee and Budget: Evaluate options ranging from affordable university degrees (BA Hons at Mumbai University for INR 22,000) to comprehensive private programs.
How to Apply for Film Making Admission: Step by Step
- Choose course level and specialization: Select from Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, BA/BSc/BVA, or MA/MVA/PG Diploma options based on target career roles like Cinematography, Direction, Editing, or Scriptwriting.
- Select preferred college or institute: Compare options across university programs like Mumbai University or specialized institutes like Whistling Woods International, Ramesh Sippy Academy, or Mumbai Film Academy.
- Submit application and verify documents: Submit your academic mark sheets proving minimum passing criteria directly to the chosen college or institute.
- Pay course fees to confirm enrollment: Pay the designated course fee ranging from INR 3,500 for short diplomas up to INR 14.64 lakhs for specialized degree programs.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Film Making colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
FAQs
How to get a career in the film industry?
Candidates can start a career in the film industry by completing certificate, diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate filmmaking courses to build skills in specialized areas like cinematography, direction, editing, scriptwriting, or acting.
How much does a filmmaker get paid?
Graduates entering filmmaking roles earn starting average annual salaries ranging from INR 80,000 to INR 4,00,000 depending on their job profile, such as video editors earning up to INR 4,00,000.
Is cinematography a good paying job?
Cinematographers earn an average annual salary ranging from INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,00,000 at initial levels, with long-term earning potential depending on project success and industry experience.
Where can I find a direction course in Mumbai?
Direction courses in Mumbai are offered at institutions like Saroj Institute of Films and Fashion (BSc in Direction for INR 4,50,000) and Filmit Academy (Film Direction Short Course for INR 18,000).
What are the fees for filmmaking courses in Mumbai?
Filmmaking course fees in Mumbai range from INR 3,500 (Diploma in Creative Script Writing at Akbar Peerbhoy College) to INR 14,64,000 (BA in Multimedia at Garware Institute).
