What is Film Making? Courses, Fees, Top Institutes, Careers & Salary 2025

The process of creating a motion picture is called filmmaking. Starting with an initial tale, idea, or commission, requires a number of intricate and distinct stages. The process then continues with script development, casting, pre-production, shooting, sound recording, post-production, and a public screening of the finished film.
It involves precision, detailing as well as total involvement on the part of the director and the technicians. The first and foremost skill possessed by a filmmaker should be creativity.

Yes, Few colleges offer Film Making courses in online as well as distance mode. The table below gives details of these courses:

Degrees in film making are mostly BFA, MFA, BA Film Making and MA Film Making. Doctorate degrees are also available. Since you haven't specified the exact requirements it is difficult to gather what exactly you are looking for. Movie related courses are the same all over. Courses in Interactive Media Development, Film Production, Cinematography and Photography etc are short term courses.

Film Making Course is an educational programme that teaches students about the several facets of making films, from conception to post-production. These courses can range from one-time workshops to multi-year degree programs, and they are usually given by film schools, universities, colleges, or specialised institutes.

Film Making classes cover a wide range of subjects beginning with an overview of the language and cinematic history used in filmmaking. Subsequently, they explore certain fields including post-production, editing, cinematography, screenplay and direction. Students gain knowledge of the artistic and technical facets of every stage such as sound design concepts, camera operations, lighting setups, visual storytelling, scriptwriting approaches and editing software.

Making movies is a fantastic way to show off your creativity and tell tales visually. Candidates will discover how to employ various methods to take pictures, convey tales, and evoke strong feelings.

This course will help to gain the expertise and information necessary to be successful in the film industry by earning a degree in filmmaking. Candidates will also learn about the various methods of filmmaking. Candidates can work with various production houses as well as other direction companies after completing this degree.

Filmmaking being a professional course, puts equal emphasis on theoretical knowledge and practical training. While pursuing the course, the candidates receive hands-on training in all branches of Filmmaking, namely: photography,  sound recording, lighting, editing, production controlling, etc. In India, to pursue the Diploma course in Filmmaking, the students must have to complete their 10+2 board examination. 

Admission to the Diploma in Filmmaking Course is granted based on an entrance exam or merit in the board examination. Some colleges interview students before granting admission. These colleges want to verify the candidates’ passion and zeal for Filmmaking.

Undergraduate (BA/BFA) Filmmaking: These courses usually last 3 years, with a focus on both theory and practical aspects of filmmaking.

Postgraduate (MA/MFA) Filmmaking: Students can specialize in directing, cinematography, editing, and production in postgraduate (MA/MFA) filmmaking degrees, which usually span two years.

Diploma/Certificate Courses: These are typically 6 months to 1 year in duration and focus more on practical skills in a specific area of filmmaking (e.g. editing, cinematography, screenwriting).

Online Courses: Online filmmaking courses can vary in length ranging from a few weeks to several months depending on the depth and scope of the subject matter.

Yes, Film Making colleges in India do offer Diploma courses to their students; you can refer below for some of them:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Hope this answered your question!

A portfolio is often required for creative filmmaking programs (such as directing, cinematography, or production). This could include:

• Short films you have directed or worked on
• Scriptwriting samples
• Photography or videography work
• Personal projects (e.g., music videos, documentaries, or short films)

For technical courses (like editing or sound design), a portfolio is generally not required but having relevant experience can strengthen your application. For online courses, most programs don't require a portfolio but a passion for the subject and the willingness to learn are essential.

The admission process typically follows these steps:

Application Submission: Fill out an online or paper application form with personal details, academic records, and a statement of purpose.

Portfolio (if applicable): Submit your creative work—this could be a short film, script, photography, or other projects that demonstrate your ability and passion for filmmaking.

Entrance Exam (if applicable): Some institutions conduct written exams or creative aptitude tests to assess applicant's knowledge of film theory, storytelling and technical skills.

Interview (if applicable): Top film colleges often conduct interviews to better understand your creative process, aspirations and suitability for the program. Be prepared to discuss your projects and your interest in filmmaking.

Notification of Acceptance: After reviewing applications institutions will notify selected candidates and offer admission.

Yes, many filmmakers work part-time or freelance while pursuing their education:

• Online Courses: Online filmmaking courses provide great flexibility for working professionals or freelancers. They allow you to learn at your own pace, making it easier to balance work and study.
• Part-time Programs: Some filmmaking schools offer part-time study options, especially for postgraduate or Diploma courses, so you can continue working while attending classes.
• Freelance Projects: Many filmmakers start with freelance work in areas like video editing, camera operation, or sound design. This can allow you to gain practical experience while studying, which can enhance your portfolio.

However, if you are enrolled in a full-time degree program, it may be challenging to balance coursework and a demanding job, especially for hands-on courses requiring long hours on set or in studios.

Film making careers can be direct or indirect. Direct career are actually involved in film projects, whereas indirect career include critics, archivists and distributors .

There is no real single filmmaking courses. Following are the career options after completing any filmmaking courses:

• Producer
• Actor
• Animator
• Cinematographer
• Director
• Editor
• Screenplay Writer
• Cameraman
• Lighting technician/operator
• Soundman

There are various filmmaking courses which includes:

• BA Film Making
• MA in Film Making
• Diploma in Film making
• Certificate course in Film Making

The syllabus for filmmaking courses in India can vary depending on the type of programme (undergraduate, postgraduate, or diploma) and the institution offering it. However, the general structure includes the following core topics:

• Screenwriting
• Cinematography
• Directing
• Editing
• Sound Design
• Production Design
• Film History
• Film Theory
• Post-Production
• Film Business and Law

Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune is the oldest and most prestigious film school in India. It offers a variety of courses in filmmaking, including directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design. Candidates who wish to pursue a career in Film Making can either pursue certificate or PG Diploma courses from this prestigious institute. Admissions are done on the basis of merit scored during graduation. The duration of these courses is either two years or three years.

There are many colleges which offer certificate courses in the field of Film Making. Candidates can pursue these courses after completing Class 12. Some of the top certificate courses are as follows:

• Online certificate course in Editing and Publishing
• Online Advanced Certificate Course in Filmmaking
• Certificate in Cinematography
• Certificate in Film Acting
• Certificate in DI Color Grading
• Online VFX Compositing and Editing Pro

Yes, Film Making colleges in India does offer certificate courses. Please refer below for some of them:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Hope this answered your question!

There are around 250+ Film Making Schools in India of which 192 colleges are privately owned, 24 are owned by the government and the rest 3 are owned by semi-government institutions. CUET, CUET PG, and LPU NEST are the popular entrance exams for admission to the best colleges for filmmaking in India. Amity University Noida, MIT-WPU, JNU, Jadavpur University and the University of Mumbai are the best Filmmaking institutes in India. 

Hi, you can refer below for some of the popular Film making colleges in India:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Hope this helps!

There are umpteen opportunities for the candidates who have pursued a Filmmaking course. The world of the entertainment industry is ever-expanding and hence there is a huge demand for these professionals. The career prospects of Filmmaking are always bright and lucrative. After completing the course, students can work as Camera Production Assistant, Motion Control Operator, Assistant Director, Assistant Production Controller, Camera Operator and Camera Assistant etc. initially. With years they will accumulate experience and can also work as:

• Director of Photography
• Cinematographer
• Video Editor
• Cameraman
• Videographer
• Director

The chief recruiters of these fields are Doordarshan, various film studios, television studios, fashion studios, event management industry, advertisement agencies and corporate houses, etc.

At the start of their careers, the candidates may earn INR 1-2 Lacs for different job positions. Their salary increases with the years as they accumulate experience. In the senior position, they can earn up to INR 7-8 Lacs annually. They may work as freelancers in later years, as they earn some experience and name in the related fields. In the table below, we have mentioned the salary of these professionals at the initial level:

Candidates who wish to pursue Film Making courses from top foreign universities must prepare for entrance examinations such as IELTS, University PTE etc. They must also develop a vibrant portfolio in order to showcase their artistic talents. The popular colleges are as follows:

• University of Edinburgh
• Nanyang Technological University
• University of Manchester
• Oxford University
• University of Warwick
• University of Bristol

Students can pursue Fine Arts courses from colleges in different locations. Click on the links below to know:

• Film Making Colleges in Mumbai
• Film Making Colleges in Noida
• Film Making Colleges in Bangalore
• Film Making Colleges in Kolkata
• Film Making Colleges in Pune
• Film Making Colleges in Hyderabad

Hi Lovey,

Yes, there are online courses in film making and mentioned below are some of the institutes which provide online course in film making :

• Whistling Woods
• Virtual Academy
• No Film school

All the best

Hello Lakshya,

Filmmaking is a booming industry in India. There is a huge demand of skilled talent and has a huge scope for creative people. One can start their career in this field as an assistant director. Though you can also enter in the industry without any proper training, but by pursuing a right film making course from a reputed institute like SACAC, you get to know about the technicalities of the industry. It helps you get command on different software and hardware used during shooting.

All the best!

If you are interested in Film Making then it's a very good career option. Profession of Film Making will give you opportunities to satisfy not only your creative needs but will provide ample opportunities to earn both fame & money.

Some of the top government colleges for pursuing Theatre courses includes various central and state universities. The government colleges for Film Making are as follows:

If you want to pursue Film related PG courses in India, then the following Institutes are the best options:

1. Film and Television Institute of India, Pune
2. Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata.