Pune: The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) recently started a three-week foundation course in digital cinematography in Port Blair.

A batch of 25 participants, drawn from Port Blair and nearby islands, have enrolled for the course.

This is FTII’s first digital cinematography short course in the country. Global digital imaging giant Canon, which is the technology partner of Skilling India in Film and Television (SKIFT), has provided basic and high-end cameras with accessories for the course. Mumbai-based Yasuka and Studio Assist are the other partners providing technical support.
Conducted in collaboration with the Union Territory administration of Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, the foundation course was jointly inaugurated by Ajay Singla, Secretary, Department of Tourism, A&N Islands and Bhupendra Kainthola, Director, FTII, Pune, in the presence of Amit Anand, Director, Department of Tourism and Industries, UT Administration, Professor Sandeep Shahare, National Coordinator, SKIFT, and Dhiraj Bhagtani, Canon India.

Lauding FTII for bringing a world-class short course to a remote part of the country, Singla said such courses bring new knowledge and employment opportunities at the doorsteps of islanders, who would otherwise have to travel to the mainland to pursue them.

Calling SKIFT a national mandate of FTII, Kainthola announced that two more courses will start in Port Blair this month - Basic Acting Workshop For children and Film Orientation course for children.