4-YEAR UG Professional Program
Film
Program Overview
The 4-year undergraduate course offers a broad perspective on the art and craft of filmmaking. The practices of watching, discussing, and making films inform each other and provide ample opportunities for building conceptual and reflective skills. Inputs in different aspects of filmmaking, such as camera, sound, editing and direction, equip learners to find tangible expression for their ideas. Intensive workshops with experienced film practitioners help arrive at a balanced understanding of film technique and aesthetics. The hands-on approach enables the learner to become thoroughly conversant with the film medium.
Engaging with different modes of filmmaking in fiction, documentary, and all that lies in between encourages aspiring filmmakers to discover their unique artistic expression.
Vision
Film is at an exciting juncture today. From fiction to documentaries, narrative to non-narrative, and silver screen to pixel screen, film has found diverse forms, contexts, and viewing environments, making it an enduring and viable art practice for the future. This understanding defines the four year BFA program in Film at SMI.
The program is designed to realise the dream of “camera stylo”. This approach emphasizes the director’s individual vision and perspective, treating filmmaking as a form of personal expression rather than just a technical craft. While ready access to professional image and sound recording technology makes this possible, the programme aims to instill the spirit of experimentation and rigour of craftsmanship in learners.
Even as the medium continues to adapt and redefine itself in the digital age, the programme’s vision drives aspiring filmmakers to make the language of film their own.
Core Values
- Exploring one’s creative vision and position
- Nurturing the process of imagination
- Developing cinematic sensibility
- Encouraging experimentation
- Pushing the boundaries of conventional cinema
- Hands-on engagement with production processes
LEVEL
Undergraduate Degree
AWARD
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A)
DURATION
4 Years / Full-time
Last Day to Apply
15 March 2027
Course Structure
The curriculum comprises of different ways of learning as follows:
- Foundation introduces students to basic principles and tools of Art, Design and Technology as methods, tools and processes.
- Disciplinary Studios are learning spaces where students develop core disciplinary capabilities, while navigating a trans-disciplinary environment
- General Studies is a common and compulsory program of study that integrates humanities, Sciences, maths, business and finance. Development and Policy Studies and also offers Languages (Spanish, French and German)
- Interim is an immersive introduction to practice in new and emerging areas of art and design and environmental exposure
- Electives are of three kinds – this program allows students to expand their skills, develop the interests as well as provide opportunities for travel exchange
- Internship/Apprenticeship is compulsory work experience done over the summer-break between the 6th and 7th semester
- Project based learning involves the application and synthesis of capabilities acquired. Two projects, pre-thesis and thesis, is culmination of the 4-year undergraduate program, which allows for demonstration of an integration of values, positions, capabilities and practice.
Capabilities
On successful completion of this undergrauate course in Film students will develop the ability for
- Watching, reading and writing about films critically
- Employing a range of research methods in generating insights and formulating positions
- Finding expression through image and/or sound
- Experimenting with form/technique/material
- Constructing narrative, meaning, moments
- Thoughtful creating of characters, situations, scenarios
- Using the possibilities of the filmmaking process to make decisions in planned and unplanned situations
- Sharing skills to work collaboratively as a team
- Realising ones creative intent through technique and craft
- Autonomy and self-direction in taking work ahead
- Production planning and time management
- Conceptualising and making a short film independently
For More information, please contact Professor Swati Dandekar at swati.dandekar@manipal.edu
FAQs
The program covers both conceptual and practice-based learning. You will be encouraged to watch, read and write about films and learn the techniques through continuous making. You will be exposed to different kinds of film genres like fiction, documentary, other forms of non-fiction and experimental film. In keeping with current trends most of the work will be on digital video.
You will make your own work throughout the duration of the program, beginning with short exercises that gradually increase in scope and complexity. In the final year, you will make short films within the framework set by the institution.
A wide range of equipment is available to students of Film at SMI. Depending on their learning level, they can avail DSLR and mirrorless cameras to cinema, broadcast and immersive cameras. There are a variety of lenses, accessories, and lights. Professional microphones and recording devices are available for location sound.
Equipment is typically provided for class assignments and projects. You may wish to have your own DSLR camera which will allow you to practice and experiment on your own, outside of class work.
The course at SMI Institute places great emphasis on context-based work. The context could pertain to social, cultural, and environmental themes or emerge from your own experiences and concerns. The program is designed to help you be a better learner and navigate your own learning within a multidisciplinary environment. There are good possibilities for exploring multiple media and image making methods and design processes that can enrich your learning in the chosen discipline.
Yes, this is a four year professional undergraduate/bachelor’s degree, which makes you eligible for higher studies in India and abroad. Our students have pursued further study in many universities and institutes worldwide. SMI also offers a master’s program in Documentary Film, an option for you to advance your film practice.
The above capability sets equip and prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities:
- Undertake the making of independent or commissioned short films
- Work in different capacities on any film or audio-visual production
- Work in any media organisation, including Television and Advertising agencies
- Specialise in a particular aspect of filmmaking
- Pursue higher studies in an art-related field