Jharkhand lays foundation for film talent pipeline with SRFTI partnership

Jharkhand has taken a step towards building a structured film and media skills ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Jharkhand Film Development Corporation Ltd (JFDCL) and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata.

Signed in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the agreement will support the establishment of the Jharkhand Film and Television Institute (JFTI), which aims to train students in filmmaking, television and digital media.

The institute will begin with short-duration courses in sound design, editing, animation, script and screenplay writing, cinematography, direction and film production. The courses are intended to prepare students for employment and freelance opportunities across film, television, OTT platforms and digital content.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Soren said the partnership marks the beginning of an institutional framework for film education in the state. He said Jharkhand has creative talent that can benefit from access to technical training and industry exposure.

The move comes as India’s media and entertainment sector continues to expand, driven by streaming platforms, digital content and regional language productions. The demand for trained professionals now extends beyond feature films to advertising, animation, web series, documentary filmmaking and social media content.

Jharkhand has served as a shooting location for several Hindi and regional films because of its landscapes, industrial locations and cultural diversity. However, students seeking professional film education have largely depended on institutions outside the state. The proposed institute is expected to address part of that gap by providing local access to technical training.

The success of the initiative will depend on how the state connects training with production activity, industry partnerships and investment. A functioning film ecosystem typically supports businesses involved in equipment rental, post-production, visual effects, hospitality, transport, event services and tourism.

During the programme, the Chief Minister honoured filmmakers from Jharkhand, including Biju Toppo, Raviraj Murmu, Anuj Kumar and Niranjan Kujur for their contributions to cinema.

The event was attended by Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, SRFTI Vice-Chancellor Samiran Dutta, senior government officials and representatives of universities.

The MoU marks the state’s first institutional collaboration with a national film school and forms part of Jharkhand’s efforts to expand skill development into media and creative industries alongside its traditional industrial sectors.