FTII and Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. sign MoU to expand film and media training in Maharashtra

Mumbai:21/7/25: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 to advance skill development in the film and media sectors across Maharashtra. The exchange of the MoU was conducted between Smt. Swati Mhase-Patil, Managing Director, MFSCDCL, and Shri Dhiraj Singh, Vice Chancellor, FTII. The MoU aims to strengthen India’s creative economy by developing skilled human resources in the fields of film, media, and entertainment.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis; Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT, Government of Maharashtra, Adv. Ashish Shelar; Chairman, FTII, Shri R. Madhavan; Additional Chief Secretary, Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Maharashtra; Shri Vikas Kharge; and senior officials from FTII, MFSCDCL, and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

This strategic collaboration aims to conduct and promote short-term courses in filmmaking, television production, and allied technical fields in partnership with FTII’s academic expertise and MFSCDCL’s infrastructure and outreach capabilities.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Devendra Fadnavis stated, “This collaboration marks the beginning of a new era. Maharashtra is poised to become a national and global hub for the creators’ economy. With the rapid monetization of creative spaces, even individuals from remote areas are emerging as content creators. Highlighting the fast pace of the growth of orange economy, Shri Fadnavis informed that the NSE WAVES Index, which was launched in the course of WAVES 2025, May this year, has grown from ₹92,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore in such a short duration. This underscores the need for technically skilled and certified professionals, he added. Maharashtra CM further emphasized the importance of formal training and certification, noting that many talented individuals lack access to professional opportunities due to the absence of recognized credentials. The MoU will address this gap by offering structured training and certification programs.

Highlighting the inclusive nature of the initiative, Government of Maharashtra’s Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT, Adv. Ashish Shelar stated, This collaboration will enable students from rural Maharashtra to pursue careers in the film industry. It will also unlock employment opportunities and promote Maharashtra’s iconic filming locations, he added. These collaborative skill development courses to be imparted at MFSCDCL centres at Goregaon, Kolhapur, Prabhadevi, and Karjat will unlock employment opportunities, he added.

FTII Chairman Shri R. Madhavan reflected on the transformative potential of the initiative, sharing, “Talented individuals from small towns are creating history. From local storytelling to global narratives, India’s creative voices are ready to shape the future.”

Additional Chief Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Maharashtra, Shri Vikas Kharge, outlined the roadmap, stating, “Currently we plan courses that shall prepare students for careers in filmmaking, cinematography, digital production, AI tools, dubbing, voiceover, etc.”

The MoU also envisions the development of a robust ecosystem by integrating FTII’s academic excellence with MFSCDCL’s infrastructure and outreach. The collaboration will support entrepreneurship, incubation, and cultural initiatives aligned with national objectives of skill development and industry engagement.

This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision to empower the creative sector, enhance employment, and position India as a global leader in content creation and cultural innovation.