FTII and MFSCDCL Ink MoU to Empower Film and Media Aspirants in Maharashtra

In a significant move poised to reshape India’s creative and media landscape, 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) today aimed at bolstering skill development in the film, media, and entertainment sectors. The partnership symbolizes a strategic alignment between academic excellence and infrastructural strength to build a skilled, employable, and empowered talent pool across Maharashtra.

The MoU was exchanged between Smt. Swati Mhase-Patil, Managing Director of MFSCDCL, and Shri Dhiraj Singh, Vice Chancellor of FTII. The ceremony took place in the presence of key dignitaries, including Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT Adv. Ashish Shelar, FTII Chairman Shri R. Madhavan, and Additional Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Kharge, along with officials from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Opportunity

This pioneering collaboration focuses on designing and implementing short-term, high-impact courses in filmmaking, television production, cinematography, editing, and other allied technical areas. These programs will be tailored to meet the dynamic demands of the creative economy, equipping learners with both technical proficiency and industry-relevant certifications.

The courses will be conducted at MFSCDCL centres located in Goregaon, Kolhapur, Prabhadevi, and Karjat, leveraging their advanced infrastructure and regional reach. FTII will provide the academic leadership, curriculum design, and faculty support, ensuring the training is of national standard and globally competitive.

Maharashtra as a Future Hub of Creative Economy

Speaking at the event, CM Devendra Fadnavis called the MoU a turning point for Maharashtra’s creative sector. He highlighted the potential of the “orange economy”—a term that refers to the monetization of creativity, knowledge, and culture—and the explosive growth of content creation in recent years.

He noted that the NSE WAVES Index, launched during the WAVES 2025 event in May, had surged from ₹92,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore in a very short span, underscoring the economic weight of the creative industries. The CM emphasized the urgent need for formally trained and certified professionals, as many creative individuals lack access to mainstream industry opportunities due to the absence of recognized credentials.

Inclusive Training for Rural and Urban Youth

Highlighting the inclusive nature of the initiative, Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar said the collaboration will bring world-class training to the doorsteps of rural students, thereby democratizing access to careers in filmmaking and media. In addition to empowering youth, the courses will promote Maharashtra’s iconic shooting locations, strengthening the state’s identity as a vibrant filming destination.

FTII Chairman R. Madhavan, a prominent voice in Indian cinema, spoke about the initiative’s transformative capacity. He said, “From the small towns of India, storytellers are emerging with powerful voices. This initiative will harness their potential and turn it into global impact.”

Preparing for a Tech-Enabled Creative Future

Outlining the roadmap ahead, Shri Vikas Kharge, Additional Chief Secretary, shared that the courses will not just cover traditional film disciplines, but also incorporate emerging domains like AI in media production, digital editing, dubbing, and voiceover work, ensuring that students are prepared for both current and future industry trends.

The collaboration also aims to build a comprehensive creative ecosystem supporting entrepreneurship, incubation hubs, and cultural initiatives. By synergizing FTII’s pedagogy and MFSCDCL’s regional presence, the MoU serves as a cornerstone in building an infrastructure that promotes employment, artistic expression, and innovation.

National Significance and Future Prospects

This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Skill India mission and the broader vision to turn India into a global powerhouse of content creation. By nurturing homegrown talent and providing them with certified skills, the MoU is set to open new doors for aspiring filmmakers, editors, content creators, and cultural entrepreneurs.

As India stands at the cusp of a content revolution, the FTII-MFSCDCL MoU represents more than just a training program—it is a declaration of intent to empower creative youth, elevate regional talent, and drive India’s cultural resurgence on the global stage.