Foundation Course in Screenplay Writing in Dharamshala (18 - 29 August 2025)

Foundation Course in Screenplay Writing in Dharamshala from 18-29 August 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 Foundation Course in Screenplay Writing in Dharamshala from 18-29 August 2025.

Following are the details in this regard;

(1) Course Name: Foundation Course in Screenplay Writing

(2) Dates: 18-29 August 2025 (10 days, excluding Saturday and Sunday)

(3) Timings: 10 am to 6 pm (Lunch Break 01.00 pm to 02.00 pm)

(4) Total No. of participants: 24 (Course will be conducted only if min. strength of 20 is reached)

(5) Age: Participants must be 18 years or above in age as on 01st August 2025 (participants born on or before 31^st July 2007)

6. Educational Qualification: HSC (12^th pass). In exceptional cases, 10^th pass may be considered

(7) Nationality: Indian

(8) Venue: M& M Resort, Mount View Complex, Dalai Lama Temple Road, Main Market, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala.

(9) Per participant course fee: Rs 17,500/-

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, 31 July 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

1. Mr. Milind Joshi, Asst. Outreach Officer – 020 - 25580085, info.cfol@ftii.ac.in
2. Ms. Bhavna - 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 Dharamshala. Please contact Ms. Bhavna  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 06^th from left to right.

. In the Search box, search/Find FTII Fees Account and click submit.

2. In the payment category select “O6 Foun. C. in Screenplay Writing in Dharamshala”.

3. Fill-up the application form with requisite details and proceed for payment.

4. Make necessary payment of Rs 17,500/-

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

By the end of this 10-day journey, participants will:

• Complete a short or feature screenplay (first draft)

• Understand screenplay structure, formatting, and character dynamics.

• Gain tools for rewriting, pitching, and development.

• Receive personalized feedback and guidance.

• Emerge with a confident, cinematic storytelling voice.

DAY 1 – The Screenwriter’s Lens

• What makes a film story?

• Basics of screenwriting grammar

• Visual thinking vs. literary writing

• Watching scenes: identifying cinematic moments

DAY 2 – Finding Your Voice

• Personal truths & emotional memory

• Journaling exercises: loss, love, longing

• Discovering stories only you can tell

• Group sharing & trust-building

DAY 3 – Idea to Premise

• What makes an idea cinematic?

• How to craft a compelling premise

• Pitch practice: logline and core concept

• Feedback loop: what excites the room?

DAY 4 – Characters & Conflict

• Designing layered protagonists and antagonists

• Understanding internal and external conflicts

• Wants vs. Needs

• Writing emotional character sketches

DAY 5 – World & Structure

• Building immersive story worlds

• Mapping emotions onto locations

• Understanding 3-Act Structure + Beat Sheet

• Begin outlining your screenplay

DAY 6 – Scene Mechanics

• What makes a scene move?

• Objectives, tension, reversals, beats

• Subtext and cinematic action

• Writing your first key scene

DAY 7 – Dialogue & Visual Writing

• Dialogue as action and personality

• Avoiding exposition traps

• Writing visually: show, don’t tell

• Screenplay formatting essentials

DAY 8 – Writing Act I

• Setting up the story world

• Introducing characters, tone, and stakes

• Writing your opening 10 pages

• Mentor feedback on first scenes

DAY 9 – Writing Act II & III

• Escalating tension and emotional stakes

• Midpoints, subplots, confrontations

• Writing the climax and emotional payoff

• Complete screenplay draft by end of day

DAY 10 – Table Read & Rewrite Tools

• Group table reading of selected pages

• Feedback from mentor and peers

• Tools for rewriting & development

• Final Q&A: Pitching, festivals, next steps