FTII, Maharashtra Govt Sign MoU to Expand Film and Media Training Across State
Mumbai, July 22: In a significant move to strengthen the creative economy and bridge the skills gap in the film and media sector, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Limited (MFSCDCL), Mumbai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to provide structured training and certification programs across Maharashtra.
The agreement was formally exchanged between Swati Mhase-Patil, Managing Director of MFSCDCL, and Dhiraj Singh, Vice Chancellor of FTII, in the presence of top dignitaries including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT Adv. Ashish Shelar, FTII Chairman R. Madhavan, and senior officials from the Government of Maharashtra and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The collaboration will facilitate short-term, skill-based courses in filmmaking, television production, cinematography, dubbing, digital production, and emerging tools like AI. These will be conducted at MFSCDCL centres located in Goregaon, Kolhapur, Prabhadevi, and Karjat.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Fadnavis described the initiative as “a new era for Maharashtra’s creators’ economy,” adding that the MoU would democratize access to technical training. “Even individuals from remote areas are emerging as content creators, but many lack the certification required to enter professional spaces. This partnership will bridge that gap,” he said.
Fadnavis also highlighted the growing financial potential of the creative industry, noting that the NSE WAVES Index—launched during WAVES 2025—has grown from ₹92,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore in just a few months, indicating rapid monetization of content creation.
Adv. Ashish Shelar, Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT, emphasized the MoU’s inclusive approach. “This will enable rural youth to pursue careers in cinema and media and will promote Maharashtra’s unique filming destinations, further driving employment,” he noted.
FTII Chairman R. Madhavan lauded the potential of small-town creators, saying, “From local storytelling to global narratives, India’s creative voices are ready to shape the future.”
Vikas Kharge, Additional Chief Secretary, Cultural Affairs Department, outlined that courses would prepare students for various roles including cinematography, voiceover, dubbing, and AI-integrated media production.
The MoU is expected to contribute to entrepreneurship, cultural innovation, and incubation efforts aligned with national objectives under the Government of India’s vision for skilling and employment in the creative sector. It also aims to position Maharashtra as a national and global hub for content creation.
