February 27, 2026 Cinema

Cinema Courses in India: Fees, Eligibility, Admission, Career Opportunities

Cinema courses in India are gaining immense popularity in India. Better career prospects, handsome salary packages, and a reputation are all you will receive after successfully completing a cinematography course.

Massive demand for cinematographers, directors, filmmakers and sound designers lay emphasis on getting a formal education in the field of cinema. These courses are available in different levels such as UG, PG and Diploma Courses.

You can enroll in a best-in-class cinema colleges in India to pursue formal education in this field.

If you wish to make a mark in this dynamic and influential industry, this guide gives you an ideal roadmap.

Table of Contents

What are Cinema Courses in India?

Cinema is considered a vast subject to learn. It is a platform to express ideas, narrate stories and create something larger than life. Cinema is the art of honing your creative sense and technical expertise. This form of art blends creativity, narratives and technology together.

Cinema Courses in India are touted as professional programs that teach students the creative and technical aspect of filmmaking.

AAFT School of Cinema focuses on storytelling, direction, sound design, post-production work and other technical aspects. These courses prepare students with the right education and skillset.

Also Read: What To Do After a Cinema Course in 2026: Roadmap for Beginners

About Cinema Courses in India

With the booming film industry in India, aspiring movie makers and other creative artists look for desired jobs. The creative field of cinema lets you breathe your creativity into life. Cinematography courses after 12th help you learn every aspect of the cinematic spectrum. These courses are designed to blend your creative vision with in-demand skills.

These courses are professional programs that teach you creative and technical skills in filmmaking and related disciplines. From direction to script writing to working on a film set to sound design, you can choose to make a career in popular cinema specializations.

Highlights	Details
Stream	Cinema Courses
Type of Cinema Courses	Undergraduate Cinema Courses, Postgraduate Cinema Courses, Diploma Courses and Short-term Certifications
Course Duration	Undergraduate Course – 3 to 4 yearsPostgraduate Courses – 2 yearsDiploma Courses – six months to one year Short-term Certifications – 3 months
Course Eligibility	Can vary from course to course
Top Colleges	AAFT Noida, AAFT Raipur

Must Read: How to Find the Best Filmmaking Courses in Delhi NCR?

Cinema Courses Eligibility Criteria

From basic camerawork to advanced level techniques, cinema courses teach you the ins and outs of cinema education. Most cinema courses in India are known to combine theoretical concepts with practical application to teach you real-world skills.

Students who wish to take part in these courses need to understand the eligibility criteria. Though, the eligibility criteria can vary from course to course. The eligibility criteria for these courses is quite straightforward. It is accessible to most candidates.

Most of the colleges may conduct entrance exams for these courses. Their eligibility criteria might differ from other courses.

Cinema courses can be classified into UG Courses, PG Courses, and Diploma Courses. Therefore, understanding the criteria of each of these courses is essential.

Undergraduate Cinema Course Eligibility Criteria

To enrol in undergraduate programs like B.Sc in Cinematography, candidates are required to clear 12th standard in any stream with any aggregate of 50% and above marks.
Certain colleges conduct entrance exams, group discussions and personal interviews to admit students. You need to clear all these rounds to get admission in your desired college.

Postgraduate Cinema Course Eligibility Criteria

Candidates are required to clear graduation in any stream with aggregate of 50% and above marks.
Students are required to clear entrance exams as a criteria for admission in certain cinema courses.

Diploma Courses Eligibility Criteria

Students who wish to take part in diploma courses are required to pass 10th standard under a recognised board.

Cinema Courses Admission Process

Are you dreaming of how to make it big in the world of cinema? If yes, you should check out the admission process of top cinema courses in India.

Most colleges follow a talent-based admission process. The entrance test is considered an essential requirement for admission by most prestigious institutes.

Application Form

Fill the online or offline application form available on the website of each college.

Check Eligibility

Check the eligibility criteria for each college. Qualify through minimum education qualification.

Apply for Entrance Exam

Many renowned institutes conduct entrance exams to test applicants’ creative thinking, logical skills, and storytelling skills.

Portfolio Submissions

For technical and creative courses, you may need to submit a portfolio. A portfolio reflects your skills, work profile, education qualifications, and projects.

Cinema Courses Fees

Cinema courses in India fees may vary on the parameters of:

Course level and duration
Professional equipment and tools
Type of institute [ public or private]
Academic knowledge and business exposure
Workshops, training sessions and the projects you undertook

	Minimum Fees		Maximum Fees
Course Type	Public	Private	Public	Private
Undergraduate Courses	1.06 lakhs	1.7 lakhs	2.7 lakhs	27 lakhs
Postgraduate Courses	2.82 lakhs	2 lakhs	2.82 lakhs	26 lakhs
Diploma Courses	39.40k	1.06 lakhs	2 lakhs	1.06 lakhs

Must Read: Career Options After a B.Sc. in Cinema in 2026

Types of Cinema Courses in India

Cinema education primarily focuses on hands-on training and industry-exposure. The comprehensive cinema education blends art, craft and technical foundation together.

By enrolling in a cinema course, you can master key areas including; direction, editing, cinematography, screenwriting and sound. Choosing an apt cinematography course in Delhi will be an ideal launching pad for your career.

Which cinema course fits you best? The answer to this question depends on your career prospects and skillset.

Undergraduate Cinema Courses

The undergraduate cinema programs are three years long professional courses designed for cinema aspirants. These courses are full-fledged courses designed to build a strong foundation in direction, storytelling, post-production work, and sound effects.

Postgraduate Cinema Courses

Postgraduate filmmaking courses are advanced-level programs in film media that help students specialize in cinema, direction, cinematography and related fields. The two year postgraduate course hones your creative and technical skills.

Diploma Courses in Cinema

Diploma courses are short-term courses that teach the fundamentals of cinema. These diploma courses are backed by industry mentors. If you are a working professional, a student or a creative enthusiast, these courses are ideal for you.

Short-Term Cinema Courses

If you are a beginner or a hobbyist, these courses are best-suited for you. Short-term cinema courses emphasise on comprehensive learning. Their focus is on hands-on training and practical exposure.

Also Read: Cinema Career Options in 2026: Paths, Pay, and Growth You Should Know

Popular Cinema Courses in India

Below is a breakdown of some of the most popular filmmaking courses in India. You can choose a course that best fits your career goals and creative mindset.

Course Type	Course Name	Duration	Topics Covered
Undergraduate Course	B.Sc in Cinema [ Specialization in Cinematography]	3 years	Emphasize on advanced cinematography skills while building your core foundation and technical skillset.
Undergraduate Course	B.Sc in Cinema [ Specialization in Direction ]	3 years	Learn practical visual storytelling, fundamentals of film theory, narrative construction, visual language in this future-focussed course.
Undergraduate Course	B.Sc in Cinema [ Specialization in Post Production ]	3 years	Mastering the techniques of video editing, color grading, sound design, visual effects, modern filmmaking concepts.
Postgraduate Course	M.Sc in Cinema [ Specialization in Direction ]	2 years	script interpretation, mise-en-scène, and visual storytelling
Postgraduate Course	M.Sc in Cinema [ Specialization in Post Production ]	2 years	Post production workflows, technical and visual storytelling, color grading, sound design, motion graphics.
Postgraduate Course	M.Sc in Cinema [ Specialization in Cinematography]	2 years	Mastering the art of cinematic techniques. Training in cinematography, lighting, visual composition, post-production.
Diploma Course	Diploma in Cinematography	1 year	Fundamentals and key concepts of cinematography and related concepts
Diploma Course	Diploma in Post Production	1 year	Industry-focussed foundation in post production work and related concepts
Diploma Course	Diploma in Film Making	1 year	Study of film production, script writing and post production.
Diploma Course	Diploma in Film and TV Production Direction	1 year	Direction, camera operation, set production and other key concepts
Post Graduate Diploma Course	PG Diploma in Cinematography	1 year	Camera techniques, lighting, design, lensing and shot composition
Post Graduate Diploma Course	PG Diploma in Post Production	1 year	Industry-focussed foundation in post production work and related concepts
Post Graduate Diploma Course	PG Diploma in Film Making	1 year	Training in film production, visual storytelling, scriptwriting and production workflow.
Post Graduate Diploma Course	PG Diploma in Film and TV Production Direction	1 year	fundamentals of Screenplay writing, acting, sound recording and video editing.
Short Term Programs	Certificate in Screenplay Writing	3 Months	Essentials of screenplay writing, character development, and writing.
Short Term Programs	Certificate in Video Editing and Sound Recording	3 Months	Foundation in editing and video storytelling. Plot types and character development.
Short Term Programs	Certificate in Cinematography	3 Months	Introduction to camera and lights, concepts of cinematography.

Cinematographer Salaries in India

Salary prospects are quite high after a cinema course. These courses are backed by industry expert mentoring to equip you with apt knowledge of cinema. You get a chance to choose from multiple job profiles after completing a diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate course in cinematography.

Job Type	Average Annual Salary
Cinematographer Salary	4.9LPA to 5.4LPA [1]
Screen Writer Salary	4.7LPA to 5.2LPA [2]
Sound Designer Salary	5.3LPA to 6.4LPA [3]
Video Editor Salary	3.8LPA to 4.1LPA [4]

Career Scope After Cinema Courses in India

Cinema and film making courses in Delhi NCR open multiple opportunity gates for aspiring filmmakers. With the expansion of films, television, OTT platforms, digital platforms and advertising, cinema education has gained utmost importance. This importance has highlighted the need to take admission in top cinematography courses.

If you want to make it big in the world of cinema, you should take this momentous step. Students trained in these courses work in creative, technical and management fields across film and entertainment industries.

Type of Job Roles	Career Opportunities	Work Areas
Direction	Film Director, Creative Director, Assistant Director	Films, TV Shows, OTT Platforms, Short Films, Ad Films
Cinematography	Director of Photography	Films, TV Shows, OTT Platforms, Documentaries and Commercials
Editing	Film and Video Editors	Films, TV, Production Houses, Digital Platforms
Screenwriting	Screen Writer, Author, Story developer, Story Creator	Films, web series, OTT platforms, TV shows, short-films
Sound Design	Sound Designers	Films, OTT Platforms, Animation Studios

Also Read: What to Expect in the First Year of a Cinema Course

Choosing AAFT School of Cinema

AAFT School of Cinema has a vast history in producing best cinematographers, film directors, screenwriters, and other artists. Our cinema courses in Delhi equip you with best-in-class knowledge of cinema and art.

Learn the intricacies of direction and master every aspect of the cinema spectrum. AAFT courses are known for industry-relevant courses and state-of-art infrastructure.

Cinema Courses in India FAQ‘s

Is it possible to take filmmaking courses after 10th?

Yes, you can take filmmaking courses after completing your 10th standard. However, you need to meet the required eligibility criteria of a course.

Is AAFT Noida an appropriate institute to teach cinema courses?

AAFT Noida cinema courses are known for industry-oriented education, expert mentoring, top-class training facilities and guaranteed placement opportunities.

What is the eligibility criteria to apply for a cinema director course?

To apply for a cinema director course, you need to pass 10+2 from a recognized board. Certain cinema institutes conduct their entrance exams. Hence, you may need to appear for these entrance exams.