Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI)

Overview

The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) is a government-funded film school in Kolkata, West Bengal, established in 1995 and named after the Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray. The first academic session began on September 1, 1996. SRFTI operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and is the second national centre for cinema education in the country after the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.

In April 2025, SRFTI was conferred the status of an Institution Deemed to be University under the Distinct Category, in accordance with Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, by the Ministry of Education. As a result, SRFTI now awards Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas. Candidates admitted from the 2025 academic year onward are enrolled in MFA degree programmes under SRFTI Deemed to be University.

SRFTI offers MFA programmes in Cinema (six specialisations) and Electronic and Digital Media (three specialisations). The Cinema programme includes a one-year bridge programme followed by a two-year MFA. The EDM programme is two years. Admission is through the SRFTI Entrance Test, a two-stage process: a preliminary written test (100 marks, MCQ format) followed by a final selection test (100 marks, written and/or practical and/or interaction) conducted at the SRFTI campus in Kolkata. The final merit list is prepared based on 20% of the preliminary test and 80% of the final test, subject to qualifying a medical test. Candidates are called for the final test at a 1:4 ratio (four candidates per seat).

Programs Offered

MFA in Cinema (1-Year Bridge + 2-Year MFA)

Specialisations:

• Producing for Film and Television
• Direction and Screenplay Writing
• Editing
• Cinematography
• Sound Recording and Design
• Animation Cinema

MFA in Electronic and Digital Media (2-Year)

Specialisations:

• Writing
• Management

Each specialisation is designed to train students in a specific discipline of film and media production. The curriculum combines production training with extensive study of film history and theory, and students study Ray's work alongside international cinema from around the world.

Tuition and Fee Structure

At the current exchange rate (July 2026), tuition is approximately $570 per semester, making SRFTI one of the most affordable government-funded film schools in the world. The campus provides residential hostel accommodation. Students are not permitted to be engaged academically or professionally with any other educational or occupational institute or organisation during their academic tenure.

Admission Process

The SRFTI Entrance Test 2026 follows this timeline:

The preliminary test is a 2-hour, 100-mark exam divided into Part-A (General Aptitude Test, 50 marks MCQ) and Part-B (Common Subject Area Test, 50 marks MCQ). Shortlisted candidates are called to the SRFTI campus for the final selection test. The provisional merit list follows government reservation norms for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD categories.

Required documents at admission include Aadhaar card (or equivalent photo ID with postal address), educational certificates, and for reserved categories, valid caste/category certificates. Candidates already enrolled at another institution must produce a withdrawal or no-objection certificate.

Notable Alumni

SRFTI alumni work across the Indian film industry, from Bollywood to regional cinema and international festival circuits. Key alumni include:

• Amal Neerad - Director and cinematographer of Malayalam films including Big B, Iyobinte Pusthakam, and Bheeshma Parvam.
• Kanu Behl - Director of Titli (2014, Cannes), co-writer of Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and Love Sex Aur Dhokha.
• Namrata Rao - Editor of Ishqiya, Band Baaja Baaraat, Kahaani, 2 States, and Fan.
• Haobam Paban Kumar - Director of AFSPA 1958 (Best Non-Feature Film, 56th National Film Awards) and Mr. India (Best Film on Social Issues, 57th National Film Awards).
• Sagar Ballary - Director of Bheja Fry.
• Tribeny Rai - Director of Shape of Momo (Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award, KIFF 2025; screened at Busan, San Sebastian, Cannes Marche du Film, Hong Kong, Singapore). Graduated 2015.
• Dominic Sangma - Director of Rapture and Ma.Ama (Locarno, Shanghai, Busan). Graduated 2014.
• Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap - Director of The Horse from Heaven (India's Oscar 2023 entry), Kok Kok Kokoook (Busan), Flowers in a Hailstorm (NaraIFF). Graduated 2025.
• Abhijit Sen - Director of Bengali commercial hits Tonic, Projapati, and Pradhan.
• Madhura Palit - Cinematographer working in Bengali and Hindi cinema.
• Siddharth Diwan - Cinematographer of Titli, Bulbbul, and Jayeshbhai Jordaar.
• Pritam Das - Filmmaker and sound designer.

What Students Should Know

SRFTI is smaller than FTII Pune and less internationally known, but offers an equally rigorous education. The school attracts students drawn to art cinema, documentary, and socially engaged filmmaking, reflecting the cultural tradition of Bengali cinema associated with Satyajit Ray. Graduates work across the Indian film industry with particular strength in independent and regional cinema.

The campus includes studios, editing suites, screening facilities, and residential accommodation. Students collaborate across departments: directors, cinematographers, editors, and sound designers work together on student productions, mirroring the collaborative structure of professional filmmaking.

SRFTI alumni are increasingly visible at international festivals. Recent graduates have screened work at Busan, Cannes (Marche du Film), Locarno, San Sebastian, Shanghai, and the Academy Awards. The institute provides students with access to film festivals, competitions, and industry events to showcase their work. Scholarships are awarded based on admission performance and subsequent annual examination results in theory, practical, and projects.

See Also

For understanding Indian cinema traditions and their global influence, see International Film Markets. To plan your production budget for a student or independent film, use the Production Budget Calculator. For calculating return on investment for festival submissions, use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator.