Online and Weekend “Basic Course in the Art of Screenwriting” from 29 August – 01 November 2026
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune under ‘Centre for Open Learning’ (CFOL) initiative, announces “Basic Course in the Art of Screenwriting” (Online) from 29 September – 01 November 2026.
Following are the details in this regard;
(1)
Name of the Online Weekend
Course: Basic Course in the Art of Screenwriting (Online)
(2)
Dates: 29 August – 01 November 2026 (Only
on Weekends, Saturday and Sunday)
(3)
Timings: 10
am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm (Indian Standard Time – IST) – 04 hrs per day
(4) Max. no. of participants: 25 (Course will be conducted only if
min. strength of 20 participants is reached)
(5) Age:16 years & above as on 01st August 2026
(6) Educational Qualification: SSC (10th
pass)
(7) Online Platform: Google
Classroom & Google Meet platform
(8) Medium
of Instructions:
English& Hindi
(9) Per Participant Course fee:
Rs 22,000/- per participant for participants from India.
Rs.66,000/- per participant for participants from foreign countries, OCI, PIO, Indians presently not staying in India
Course fee of
selected participants will be non-refundable, non-transferrable,
non-adjustable, etc. under any circumstances. Course fee of all the non –
selected participants will be returned within 21 working days of the course
commencement.
(10) Mode of payment: Online through
SBI Collect (along with application form).
(11) Due
date & time to submit application: 14 August 2026, 6 pm
IST. Application submitted after due
date & time will not be considered.
(12) Selection Criteria: On First – Come – First – Served Basis.
List of selected participants will be published on our website and selection
emails will also be sent to all the selected participants.
(13) Online
platform: FTII will be
using “Google Classroom” and participants are requested to get familiarized with the same. Steps to join
online class including login id & password will be shared with each selected participant in the
selection email.
(14)
Computer
literacy: It
is the participant’s responsibility to be technologically capable to take an online
course. Participants must be computer literate.
(15) MANDATORY REQUIREMENT:
Since the course is online, participants must have following facilities;
(i) A Desktop / Laptop having minimum 4 GB RAM,
1.6 GHz or better processor (Intel i3 or i5 or better). (Windows / MAC)
(ii) Operating system: a) Windows 7 or 8 or 10.
b) MAC OS Sierra or later
(iii) Audio – Video software: Latest versions
of VLC player, Windows Media Player or Quick Time Player.
(iv) Compatible good quality headphones/
earphones with mic
(v) Compatible HD webcam
(vi) Internet pack of minimum 5 GB per day
exclusively for this course. It is recommended to have fixed wired Internet
connection with minimum speed of 10 Mbps or more.
(vii) Web browser: Latest version of Google Chrome (Preferred), Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari.
Use of Mobile Phone (in
place of Laptop or Desktop Computer) to attend the classes is strictly
prohibited. Such participants will not be allowed to join the classes.
(16)
Course Director: Vikas
Sharma
Screenwriter | Script Consultant | Screenwriting Educator
Vikas Sharma is a professional Hindi film screenwriter, script consultant, and screenwriting educator with over 15 years of teaching experience. He has served as Senior Faculty – Screenwriting at Whistling Woods International and has also taught at Film and Television Institute of India, where he trained in Screenwriting. Through workshops conducted under FTII’s Open Learning Programme across India, he has mentored many aspiring writers.
Vikas has written multiple feature-length screenplays across genres and has collaborated with several notable names in the industry. As a mentor and trainer, he has conducted workshops at film schools, universities, media institutes, international festivals, and under initiatives such as the Skill India programme. He has also served as a mentor and advisor for reputed script labs and fellowships, including the Asia Society New Voices Fellowship, the 100 Storyteller Programme, the Cinerise Screenwriting Programme, and the Cinestaan India
Script Contest.
Known for his strong understanding of
story structure, visual storytelling, character creation,
scene design, and impactful dialogue,
Vikas continues to mentor emerging writers while developing original
screenplays for film and digital platforms.
(17) How to apply:
1. Click open the link - https://onlinesbi.sbi.bank.in/sbicollect/icollecthome.htm?corpID=807844&categoryName=A128%20Basic%20Course%20in%20The%20Art%20of%20Screenwriting
2. Fill-up the application form with requisite
details and proceed for payment.
3.
Make necessary payment of Rs 22,000/- or Rs. 66,000/- either case may be.
4.
Once payment is done, please note "SBI collect Reference Number"
(mentioned in payment confirmation receipt). This may be required for future
reference.
5.
If possible, digitally store the receipt of payment. This can be carried out in
one of the following ways;
(i)
by taking printout of receipt of payment, scan & save it
(ii)
by taking screenshot of payment (if using mobile) or print screen (if using
computer)
(iii)
by simply taking a photograph from mobile
(iv)
check your bank account to confirm whether money (course fee) has been deducted
or not
(v)
After a day or two, once again check to see whether money (course fee) has been
refunded.
(vi)
In case of refund, it is a transaction failure and if so, once again apply for
the course afresh.
8.
No document/ certificate related to educational qualification, age etc. is to
be attached.Participants’ self – declaration in the application form is
sufficient.
6.
Terms & conditions: By agreeing
to the terms & conditions in the application form, participants are
confirming that they have read & understood the website advt. They are
eligible to apply and fulfil all the requirements as stated in the advt.
Further, participants agree that decision of FTII Director regarding admission
to the course and its conduction will be final.
Further to add in this, it is expected of the participants that during the class they must mute their mics but keep their cameras on unless otherwise instructed. Keeping camera off throughout the class or not heeding to instructions to switch on the camera will be seen as an act of indiscipline and will lead to expulsion from the Course and forfeiture of the Course fee. Decision of FTII Director regarding conducting the course in all respects will be final.
(18) Communication with participants: All communications with the participants
will be carried out through email only. List of shortlisted participants may be
published on FTII website and selection email will be sent to the selected participants
on their registered email id.
(19) Certificates: All participants would be given
participation e-certificates on successful completion of the course. Minimum
90% attendance is mandatory.
(20) Queries: For any queries please contact Mr. Milindkumar Joshi, Assistant Outreach Officer, FTII, on info.cfol@ftii.ac.in OR call on 020 – 2558 0085
(21) Course Details
This 10-weekend, comprehensive course is designed for aspiring writers looking to craft compelling stories for feature films. Through a structured blend of theory, hands-on writing exercises, and mentor feedback, participants will gain a deep understanding of core screenplay elements — Premise, Theme, Character, Character Arc, Conflict, Setting, Plot, Structure, Scene Design, Dialogue — along with the visual language of cinema.
What You'll Learn
Foundations of Storytelling
Why stories matter, and how they
emotionally engage audiences
Core elements of feature film storytelling: Premise, Theme, Conflict, Character, Setting
Developing Multi-Dimensional Characters
Creating believable, emotionally layered
protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters
Designing character arcs built on
internal and external conflict
Understanding character dynamics and how relationships drive the narrative
Story Structure & Plot Development
Screenplay structures: Three-Act
Structure, The Hero's Journey, Linear vs. Non-Linear Narratives
Plotting techniques: outlining,
structuring beats, refining story flow
Crafting turning points, set-ups, pay-offs, and emotionally satisfying endings
World-Building & Visual Storytelling
Designing worlds that reinforce mood,
theme, and drama
Writing scenes with visual impact — what
translates on screen
Using subtext, imagery, and atmosphere
Writing Authentic Dialogue
Dialogue that feels natural yet
purposeful
Using dialogue to reveal character,
advance plot, and create subtext
Avoiding exposition-heavy writing; keeping conversations dynamic
Hands-On Workshops & Mentor Feedback
Dissecting classic and contemporary
screenplays for structure, pacing, and style
Writing and refining a story idea with a
clear premise, structured plot, and compelling characters Workshopping scene
construction and dialogue
Presenting your story concept for feedback from mentors and peers
By the end of the course, you'll have a
10–15 minute short script, one feature film story, a strong grasp of storytelling technique, and the
confidence to develop your script into a full screenplay.