By EFTeam We all know that Bollywood is one of the biggest film industries in the entire world, and we literally release thousands of movies every single year. Sure, the storyline is one thing, and acting is another, but it also depends upon the filmmakers, you know, like how the final product will come out. And if you’re someone who’s kinda fascinated by this filmmaking world, and wants to learn a little more about it, maybe want to consider it as a career option, then just keep on reading. Why? Well, here, we’re about to go down on the list of the top 10 famous film schools in India as of 2025. So, let’s just get to the list.
1. Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune
- Address: 11, Law College Rd, Shanti Sheela Society, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, Maharashtra 411004
To be straight up from the get-go, you see, FTII sure is a great choice if one is looking for a good film school in India. 100%! Like, just so you know, this place has been around since 1960 and has trained many well-knowns like Rajkumar Hirani and Shabana Azmi. How about that now? They do not have just one course on filmmaking, they have a few courses on directing, editing, acting, etc. The courses take three years and the fee structure starts from ₹1.24 lakh, just saying.
2. Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata
- Address: F9PW+88G, E.M. BYEPASS ROAD, P.O, Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, Panchasayar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700094
Next on the list, we’d not be wrong if we say that Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute located in Kolkata is one of the best film schools in India. This one, you see, was established in 1995, the college offers courses in direction, cinematography, animation, etc. And sure enough, as you might have suspected already, in order to get admission, you need to clear the JET exam and interview. Moreover, the fees are ₹1.51 lakh. Renowned directors like Srijit Mukherji and Rituparno Ghosh studied here.
3. Whistling Woods International, Mumbai
- Address: Aarey Milk Colony, Film City Complex, Aarey Colony, Goregaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400065
For those who don’t know yet, well, back in 2006, filmmaker Subhash Ghai launched this film school in Mumbai. And many of you may already know that it is actually Mumbai where a lot of film or shooting work is done in the industry, right? Talking about this particular school though, you see, they provide courses in filmmaking, acting, cinematography, screenwriting, and more. Just so you know, the fees range from ₹4.50 lakh to ₹25 lakh a year, depending upon the course, just saying.
4. National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
- Address: Opposite Tagore Hall, Rajnagar Society, Paldi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380007
Alright, you see, Film and animation courses are also great at NID, although it is known for design. Like, beginning in 1961, this school offers specialized courses in Design Thinking and Filmmaking. Just so you know though, they offer a Bachelor (B.Des) and Masters (M.Des) degree, and fees are around ₹11.39 lakh. To simplify things for you here, you see, students will need to clear the Design Aptitude Test or DAT, which has two parts, just to get in.
5. L V Prasad Film and TV Academy, Chennai
- Address: 58, Arunachalam Rd, Thangal karai, Saligramam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600093
And then, this very film school was started in 2005, not too long ago, but still made it to this list. How and why? Well, first of all, the school offers courses in film direction, editing, cinematography, and digital filmmaking. And sure enough, the fees vary between 2.5 lakh to 4.47 lakh. Not just that though, you need to clear the Prasad Creative Assessment Test and an interview to get in.
6. Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT), Noida
- Address: FC 14/15, Film City, Sector 16A, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301
Halfway through this list, you see, AAFT has been in the industry for more than 30 years and offers several film making courses, were you aware of that? Like, right now, their fees range from ₹40,000 to ₹6.1 lakh. To get into this one, you need to sit for the AAFT Global Entrance Exam and appear for an interview for admission.
7. Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment (RSACE), Mumbai
- Address: Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment (RSACE, next to GICED Building, near Garware Institute of Career Education, Vidya Nagari, Kalina, Santacruz E, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400098
Are you aware of the fact that it was actually Ramesh Sippy, director of the classic Sholay, who founded this film school? Yes! At this university, you can take a professional undergraduate or diploma course in film production! The cost of a short-term course is ₹5,000 and full-time program costs ₹15 lakh, just saying. To get admission, you need to qualify for an entrance test and go through an interview, sounds simple but trust us, it just isn’t.
8. K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, Kerala
- Address: Film Institute, Kanjiramattom – Kavungumpaalam Road, Thekkumthala, Kanjiramattom, Chengalam East, Kerala 686585
Next on the list, you see, this institute located in Kerala offers PG courses in cinematography, scriptwriting, and animation whose fees begin at ₹65000. And sure enough, to get admission, you need to clear a national-level exam and an interview. The school offers everything a student will need to train practically on the job for India or the world.
9. St. Pauls Institute of Communication Education (SPICE), Mumbai
- Address: 3R6J+9WP St Paul Media Complex, ST. PAUL’S INSTITUTE OF COMMUNICATION EDUCATION, Rd Number 24, TPS III, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
The 2nd last spot has been taken by the Mumbai-based SPICE, which is known for its one-year professional filmmaking diploma, you know? Here though, you see, Scriptwriting and Post-Production Were Well Covered. The college has a lot of present-day features and business connections to allow students to work on realistic pitches and not just theoretical ideas.
10. Annapurna College of Film and Media, Hyderabad
- Address: 8-2-293/82/A, Annapurna Studios, Rd Number 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034
Last on the list, it’s a well-known film studio situated in Annapurna Studios, Hyderabad. Right here though, you can pursue undergraduate and postgraduate programs in filmmaking, direction, and cinematography. As for how much you’d have to pay, well, the fee is between ₹ 4.5 lakh to ₹ 7 lakh, and sure enough, getting in requires a good portfolio, and then you’ll be interviewed.
Conclusion
That’s all. If you really are serious about filmmaking and want to learn it by going a bit in-depth right here in India, these are by far the best film school options you have in the country. Now, it is actually your turn to get down and do a little more digging about these schools, like fee structure, curriculum, facilities, etc.