By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 09, 2022
Agartala, Sept 09 (FD)Those who are interested for learning film making in Tripura, a new window would for them as the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) will start its campus in Tripura from October this year.
Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat here this afternoon, ICA minister Sushanta Chowdhury said, with a host of short term courses to begin with, the campus, which would be starting in the premises of Nazrul Kalakshetra, a state-run cultural hub and auditorium, would offer all the courses for free at the outset, sans a meagre registration fee.
Government has allocated Rs. 5.76 crores in the budget for the film institute project and Rs. 1.10 crores were already released for initiating the process.
"We feel this will open the doors for students who want to make it in the film industry. We want to start with short term courses and hope to start degree and diploma courses in future depending on the response", the minister said.
He also said the course would provide essential skills for youths to promote culture of the state through films alongwith generating employment opportunities for youths.
To start with, the campus would start with a short term course including a 4-week film appreciation course, 8-week long course in screen acting which would be held twice a year. A 4 week course in production management for film and television would also be offered alongwith a short course in anchoring and news reading.
A team of the state government headed by ICA minister Chowdhury met SRFTI executives on September 05 and decided a timeline for starting the institute. As per the schedule, advertisement inviting applications for admission would be published on September 20.
"We have decided to issue advertisement on September 20, continue scrutiny of applications till October 20. Admission process will be held between October 21-3 and the government would officially announce and inaugurate the courses.
Classwork at the campus would commence from November 07", Sushanta Chowdhury said.
Since all the courses to begin with are short-term courses, the first convocation ceremony would be held on February 15 next year.
He expressed hopes that Tripura's SRFTI could has potential to develop film industry in the state and said, "Our neighboring states like Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, even our neighbouring country Bangladesh have a specific demand and acumenship for films. This sector was not encouraged and developed in Tripura in the past due to lack of proper infrastructure. It may be a great step towards development of culture and filmmaking in Tripura".
ICA Principal Secretary PK Chakraborty said while film industry is being promoted here, it might take some time to grow here. Meanwhile, a certificate or degree from SRFTI will grant youths opportunities for job opportunities elsewhere. FD JK