Basic Course in Screenplay Writing in Goa ( 26 October – 02 November 2025)
Basic Course in Screenplay Writing in Goa from 26 October – 02 November 2025
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, under its Centre for Open Learning (CFOL) initiative and in association with Arthouse Film Academy, Goa announces Basic Course in Screenplay Writing in Goa from 26 October – 02 November 2025.
Following are the details in this regard;
(1) Course Name: Foundation Course in Screenplay Writing
(2) Dates: 26 October – 02 November 2025 (8 days, excluding Saturday and Sunday)
(3) Timings: 10 am to 5 pm (Lunch Break 01.00 pm to 02.00 pm)
(4) Total No. of participants: 16 (Course will be conducted only if min. strength of 13 is reached)
(5) Age: Participants must be 18 years or above in age as on 01st October 2025 (participants born on or before 30th September 2007)
- Educational Qualification: HSC (12th pass). In exceptional cases, 10th pass may be considered
(7) Nationality: Indian
(8) Venue: Villa Azevado, Saligao, Goa.
(9) Per participant course fee: Rs 16,000/-
Course fee is excluding breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea/ coffee, snacks etc.
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 refunded within 21 working days of the course commencement. Also, due to any other reason, if the course is cancelled by FTII, course fee will be refunded.
However, due to any reason, if the course is postponed OR cancelled by the organisers, course fee will be refunded.
(10) Last date to apply: By 6 pm, 14 October 2025.
(11) Course Director: Niyaz Mujawar
(12) Medium of Instructions: English and Hindi.
(13) Selection Criteria: First – Come – First – Served basis. Selected candidates would be communicated by email. List of the selected participants will be published on FTII website.
(14) Certificates: All participants would be given participation certificate on successful completion of the course which will carry logo of FTII and The Arthouse Film Academy, Goa and will be jointly signed by FTII Director, The Arthouse Film Academy, Goa Official and the Course Director. Minimum 90% attendance is mandatory to get certificate.
(15) Queries: For any queries contact
- Mr. Milind Joshi, Asst. Outreach Officer – 020 - 25580085, info.cfol@ftii.ac.in
- Ms. Yogita - 76766 43829 and thearthouseacademy@gmail.com
(16) Communication with participants: All communications with the participants will be carried out through email only. List of shortlisted participants will be published on FTII website and selection email will be sent to the selected participants on their registered email.
(17) Accommodation: Outstation participants may please note The Arthouse Film Academy will help/guide for accommodation in Goa. Please contact Ms. Yogita from The Arthouse Film Academy, on 76766 43829 and Thearthouseacademy@gmail.com for the same.
(18) Participants need to assure general decency, decorum etc. on the course campus. Failing to do so will lead to cancellation of admission without refunding course fee apart from taking internal disciplinary action and dealing the matter as per law of the land. All rights in this regard are reserved with FTII.
(19) How to apply:
1. Click open the link - https://www.onlinesbi.sbi/sbicollect/icollecthome.htm OR visit www.onlinesbi.sbi and further click on “SB Collect” which is at the top left, vertically 06th from left to right.
. In the Search box, search/Find FTII Fees Account and click submit.
2. In the payment category select “O7 Foundation Course in Screenplay Writing in Goa”.
3. Fill-up the application form with requisite details and proceed for payment.
4. Make necessary payment of Rs 16,000/-
5. Once payment is done, please note "SBI collect Reference Number" (mentioned in payment confirmation receipt). This may be required for future reference.
6. 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.
7. No document/ certificate related to educational qualification, age etc. is to be attached. Participants’ self – declaration in the application form is sufficient.
8. 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. Also, it is presumed that participants will be staying and or attending the course at their own risk & cost and will not be held responsible for anything or matter of what-so-ever nature. Further, participants agree that decision of Director, FTII regarding admission to the course and its conduction in all respect will be final.
(20) About Course Director: Niyaz Mujawar
"Raised on a farmer’s land, trained at FTII, sharpened in the industry."
• National Award & Maharashtra State Award Winner
• Writer-Director for ZEE5, Jio Cinema, Dharma Productions
• Former Content Head, Solflicks – Pitched Hutatma, Mukhbir, Bajao
• 18+ years of industry and teaching experience
• Fluent in Hindi, Marathi, English, Urdu & Kannada
• Passionate educator combining structure with soul
(21) Course Overview
No experience is needed. Join this 8-day hands-on, step-by-step, fast, fun screenwriting bootcamp to go from idea to your first polished pages—visual storytelling, strong characters, clean format, and a pitch-ready story.
Day 1: What is a screenplay?
Learn what a script looks like and how movies tell stories with pictures and action. Understand “show, don’t tell” in simple terms. Pick your story idea and write a one-line logline (hero + goal + obstacle). Read a tiny sample scene to see how words become images.
Day 2: Genre and theme
Choose your genre (drama, comedy, thriller, romance) and the feeling you promise the audience. Write a simple theme line: what your story is really about. Add stakes: what happens if the hero fails. Update your logline with a clear hook.
Day 3: Characters that move the story
Create a strong hero with a want (goal), a need (inner growth), and a flaw (problem). Add an ally and an opponent who challenge the hero. Write a short backstory that explains choices without long speeches. Sum up the change in one sentence: before → after.
Day 4: Story shape (three acts)
Learn a simple story map: beginning (setup), middle (rising trouble), end (result). Place easy beats: spark, big decision, midpoint twist, low point, final test, ending. Make a 12-beat list so your plot has direction. Check that stakes rise and choices get harder.
Day 5: Strong scenes
See what makes a scene work: a goal, conflict, and a change by the end. Write clear sluglines and short action lines with specific images. Draft a short opening scene that ends on a turn. Cut anything that does not move story or reveal character.
Day 6: Dialogue that feels real
Keep lines short, clear, and full of subtext (what is felt but not said). Use silence, pauses, and actions to show meaning. Give each character a different voice through word choice and rhythm. Rewrite your scene to remove “on-the-nose” talk.
Day 7: Clean format and workflow
Use simple, professional format (Courier 12 pt, margins, slugline, action, dialogue). Learn basics like montage and phone calls in plain format. Set a daily writing habit and a tiny checklist for rewrites. Polish 3–5 opening pages so they read fast.
Day 8: Pitch and next steps
Turn your idea into a short pitch: logline and a 5-sentence story. Practice giving and getting notes kindly and clearly. Make a plan for your first draft with weekly page goals. Leave with a logline, one-page summary, beat sheet, and polished opening pages.