FTII and Maharashtra Govt Sign MoU to Boost Film and Media Skill Development

Mumbai: Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Limited (MFSCDCL), Mumbai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to advance skill development in the film, media, and entertainment sectors across Maharashtra.

The MoU was exchanged between Swati Mhase-Patil, Managing Director of MFSCDCL, and Dhiraj Singh, Vice Chancellor of FTII, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT Adv. Ashish Shelar, FTII Chairman R. Madhavan, and senior officials from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, FTII, and the state government.

The strategic partnership aims to offer short-term, industry-aligned courses in filmmaking, television production, cinematography, dubbing, digital tools, and AI-based production. These will be conducted at MFSCDCL’s centres located in Goregaon, Kolhapur, Prabhadevi, and Karjat, leveraging FTII’s academic expertise and MFSCDCL’s state-wide infrastructure.

Speaking at the event, CM Devendra Fadnavis hailed the initiative as “the beginning of a new era,” adding that Maharashtra is poised to become a national and global hub for the creators’ economy. He cited the rapid growth of the NSE WAVES Index, launched during WAVES 2025, which surged from ₹92,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore within months—signalling the economic potential of India’s creative sector.

Fadnavis emphasized that while talent exists in abundance, the lack of formal training and certification often hinders access to professional opportunities. “This MoU bridges that gap by enabling structured training and recognized credentials for aspiring professionals,” he said.

Adv. Ashish Shelar, Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT, underscored the inclusive nature of the initiative, stating that the partnership will help students from rural and underserved regions pursue careers in the film and media industries. He added that the courses would also promote Maharashtra’s iconic filming destinations, driving both employment and cultural tourism.

FTII Chairman R. Madhavan spoke about the transformative impact of expanding formal training. “From small towns to global platforms, our creative voices are making history. This collaboration will further amplify that journey,” he said.

Outlining the roadmap, Vikas Kharge, Additional Chief Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department, said the planned curriculum would include cutting-edge areas such as AI tools in digital production, voiceover, and dubbing, in addition to conventional filmmaking skills.

The MoU also envisions building a comprehensive creative ecosystem, integrating academic training with entrepreneurship, incubation, and cultural engagement—aligned with national objectives under the Skill India Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat.