School of Design, Media & Creative Arts

M.A.
Film Making

An advanced postgraduate programme designed to transform creators into independent, future-ready filmmakers equipped to conceptualise, produce, distribute, and monetise cinematic works across global media ecosystems.

Degree Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration 2 Years / 4 Semesters
Credits 80 Total Credits
Location Bangalore
01 / Programme Overview

Cinematic storytelling & venture leadership.

The Master of Arts in Filmmaking is positioned at the intersection of cinematic narrative, cutting-edge production technologies, and sustainable creative entrepreneurship.

The programme integrates emerging domains such as Virtual Production, AI-assisted workflows, OTT content creation, and alternative financing and distribution models, responding directly to contemporary shifts in media production and consumption.

Through a studio-intensive, industry-aligned learning environment, graduates develop artistic and technical mastery alongside production management and business capabilities required to launch and sustain independent creative ventures.
02 / Highlights

Complete production capability.

Core pedagogical pillars designed to build end-to-end cinematic competence, advanced virtual tool mastery, and venture viability.

01

End-to-End Production Focus

Complete capability from script development and pre-production planning to shooting, editing, sound, and distribution.

02

Structured Skill Progression

Systematic advancement from screenwriting and cinematography to advanced directing and high-impact production environments.

03

Virtual Production & AI Workflows

Hands-on mastery in Virtual Production for independent filmmakers, AI-assisted media pipelines, and advanced post-production VFX.

04

Capstone Entrepreneurship Model

Culminates in a major thesis film or series pilot accompanied by a viable market distribution and financial plan.

05

Industry-Embedded Learning

Live projects, professional internships, external juries, and masterclasses provide real-world production accountability.

06

OTT & Digital Distribution

Strategic frameworks covering streaming platform acquisition, audience analytics, and global film festival marketing.

Degree Level
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration of Study
2 Years
(4 Semesters)
Total Credits
80 Credits
(20 / Semester)
03 / Admissions

Postgraduate admissions.

Review the academic criteria and qualifying benchmarks required to apply for the M.A. Film Making programme.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Undergraduate Degree Qualification (Level 5.5)

A student who has passed a 3-year undergraduate degree (Level 5.5, a total of 120 credits) shall be eligible for admission to the 2-year M.A. programme. Preference will be given to candidates who have secured at least 50% marks (45% marks in case of candidates belonging to reserved categories) in the qualifying examination.

Bridge Course Note: Students who have not studied requisite courses from the discipline related to the respective programme will have to undertake the prescribed bridge course(s).

04 / Curriculum

Four semesters.
One master’s thesis.

Progress from camera fundamentals and narrative editing to Virtual Filmmaking, anthology production, advertisement directing, and the master’s graduation film.

01 / Foundation & Directing

First Year: Camera, Lighting & Directing Actors

Semester 1 Script, Camera & Short Film

  • Script Development & Storytelling
  • Camera and Lighting Fundamentals
  • Editing Basics and Sound Recording
  • Studio 1: Short Film Direction and Production

Semester 2 Actors, Visuals & Experimental Film

  • Directing Actors, Visual Language & Character Development
  • Cinematography: Intermediate Practice
  • Editing: Narrative & Post-Production
  • Studio 2: Experimental Filmmaking
02 / Advanced Production & Capstone

Second Year: Virtual Cinema, Ads & Graduation Film

Semester 3 Virtual Filmmaking & Anthology

  • Advanced Cinematography and Virtual Filmmaking
  • Advanced Editing and Audio Post-Production
  • Advanced Scriptwriting for Screen and Streaming
  • Studio 3: Anthology Film Production

Semester 4 Graduation Film & Industry Project

  • Major Project: Graduation Film Production
  • Advertisement Production
  • Internship / Live Industry Project
Note: Courses on offer are subject to change between semesters or academic years depending on relevant recommendations from experts in industry, academia and other important stakeholders.
05 / Professional Edge

Career Enhancement Programmes.

Production-first studio labs, investor-facing project evaluations, masterclasses, and entrepreneurial distribution models.

01

Studio-First Pedagogy

Production-intensive learning aligned with professional film sets, live sound stages, and dedicated post-production labs.

02

Industry Internships & Live Briefs

Mandatory professional attachments and live projects with studios, OTT channels, production companies, and advertising agencies.

03

Executive Masterclasses

Direct interaction with leading film directors, cinematographers, showrunners, sound designers, and media venture capitalists.

04

Investor Pitches & Distribution

Pitch presentations, market-readiness reviews, and capstone entrepreneurship mentoring covering OTT distribution, rights, and festival circuits.

06 / Opportunities

Postgraduate career pathways.

Graduates are prepared for visionary leadership roles across global cinema, OTT streaming platforms, virtual production studios, and commercial media ventures.

01

Storytelling & Directorial Leadership

Shape original cinematic narratives across fiction, documentary, and hybrid formats, driving end-to-end directorial vision and managing large crews.

Film Director · Screenwriter · Cinematographer · Creative Producer · Visual Storytelling Lead
02

Advanced Post-Production & Tech

Design and manage high-end pipelines in narrative editing, sound design, colour grading, VFX supervision, and real-time Virtual Production.

Film Editor · Sound Designer · Colourist · VFX Artist · Post-Production Supervisor · Virtual Production Lead
03

Digital & OTT Media Ecosystems

Develop scalable, episodic content strategies for OTT networks, digital-first streaming ecosystems, and platform audiences.

OTT Content Creator · Digital Filmmaker · Showrunner · Content Strategist · Media Development Executive
04

Commercial & Branded Content

Direct commercials, high-end branded content, music videos, and commissioned campaigns balancing client objectives with creative excellence.

Commercial Director · Advertising Filmmaker · Branded Content Creator · Music Video Director · Production Manager
05

Studio Leadership & Independent Ventures

Establish independent production houses, consultancies, or media startups with sustainable financing, IP management, and distribution models.

Independent Filmmaker · Producer-Entrepreneur · Studio Founder · Creative Consultant · Media Entrepreneur
07 / FAQ

Questions,
answered.

Frequently asked questions regarding the Master of Arts in Filmmaking programme.

Do filmmakers make money?
Yes. Filmmakers earn income through multiple avenues including feature films, OTT platform acquisitions, advertising commercials, branded content, documentary commissions, and independent productions. Many professionals combine creative directorial projects with commercial and consulting assignments.
What is the 180-degree rule in filmmaking?
The 180-degree rule is a foundational principle of cinematic visual grammar that maintains spatial consistency in a scene. By keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary axis between characters, filmmakers preserve clear eyelines and screen direction, ensuring the audience is never disoriented.
Which job is best after an MA in Filmmaking?
Career paths depend on your creative strengths. Graduates commonly step into directing, cinematography (DoP), narrative editing, screenwriting, creative producing, or virtual production supervision across OTT networks, ad agencies, and film studios.
Is an MA in Filmmaking worth it?
An MA in Filmmaking is highly valuable for creators seeking advanced technical training, Virtual Production mastery, industry mentorship, and structured support to launch a professional showreel, major thesis film, and independent production venture.
Admissions Open 2026

Bring your vision
to the big screen.

Explore the M.A. Film Making programme and take the next step toward master’s-level directing, Virtual Production, and creative studio leadership.

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