Jharkhand signs MoU with SRFTI to open new avenues for youth
Film aspirants to benefit from SRFTI collaboration
Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
In a major push to develop Jharkhand’s creative industry and equip young talent with world-class filmmaking skills, the Jharkhand Film Development Corporation Limited (JFDCL) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
The collaboration marks the beginning of the proposed Jharkhand Film and Television Institute (JFTI), which aims to provide technical training and skill development to students interested in cinema, mass communication and digital content creation. Initially, the institute will offer short-duration courses in sound design, editing, animation, script and screenplay writing, cinematography, direction and film production.
Addressing the MoU signing ceremony at the Jharkhand Ministry, Chief Minister Soren described the agreement as the beginning of a new journey that would provide aspiring filmmakers and artists from the state access to advanced technology, world-class training and a national platform.
He said Jharkhand is home to immense creative talent that remains largely untapped and stressed the need to nurture young artists through professional training. Referring to the recent National Award won by Santali short film Aangen, the Chief Minister said the achievement reflects the state’s cinematic potential, which can be further strengthened through structured skill development.
Soren also highlighted Jharkhand’s growing appeal as a filming destination, noting that several acclaimed films, including Dil Bechara, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story and Gangs of Wasseypur, were shot in the state. He added that the initiative would create employment opportunities not only in mainstream cinema but also in the rapidly expanding OTT and social media content sectors.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the partnership with SRFTI, one of India’s premier film institutes, would help identify and groom hidden artistic talent across Jharkhand. Quoting noted tribal scholar Dr Ram Dayal Munda’s famous saying, “Je Nachi Se Bachi” (those who dance survive), Soren said creativity is deeply rooted in the state’s cultural identity and deserves institutional support.
Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore and SRFTI Vice-Chancellor Samiran Dutta also addressed the gathering, outlining the objectives of the collaboration. On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated several award-winning filmmakers, including three-time National Award winner Biju Toppo, National Award-winning Santali filmmaker Raviraj Murmu for Aangen, filmmaker Anuj Kumar, and National Award recipient Niranjan Kujur for the Kurukh film Edpa Kana.
Senior government officials, representatives of universities, faculty members from SRFTI and students attended the event.
