MID-YEAR FILM APPRECIATION COURSE BEGINS; 42 PARTICIPANTS FROM 13 STATES ENROLL
A three-week, full-time Film Appreciation Course was inaugurated today at the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) auditorium, Pune. Jointly organized by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), the course will run from 23rd June to 11th July 2025.
This year’s edition features 42 participants from 13 states and one Union Territory, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh.
The course was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guest Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director, NFDC. In his address, he emphasized the importance of the collective viewing experience in truly appreciating cinema:
“There exists a symbiotic relationship between the creator and the viewer — between what is made and how it is interpreted. This course is designed to equip you with the tools to engage deeply with the cinematic artform.”
Shri Dhiraj Singh, Director, FTII, also addressed the gathering. He urged participants to approach the course as a journey to discover the truth of the artform, adding:
“For meaningful learning to take place, a shared language and experience are essential. This course aims to create a space where we can co-create the meaning of cinema together.”
Curated and coordinated by Prof. Indraneel Bhattacharya, the course offers a rigorous curriculum designed to promote a comprehensive understanding of cinema and its related practices. Covering topics such as film history, aesthetic theory, independent cinema, OTT culture, documentaries, and non-fiction storytelling, the course blends theoretical lectures with curated film screenings and guided discussions.
Faculty includes FTII’s core teaching staff as well as eminent guest lecturers from across the country.
The cohort represents a diverse mix of voices, with many participants hailing from non-metro and semi-urban regions such as Birpur (Bihar), Peravurani (Tamil Nadu), and Nandigram (West Bengal).
This decades-old flagship course is one of FTII’s most enduring outreach initiatives, fostering a critical culture of cinema in India. It encourages deeper engagement with the medium and builds a network of film-literate individuals across academic, cultural, and creative ecosystems.
