11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Fellowship Program Launched to Support Emerging Indian Filmmakers
The Indian Express Group and Screen have announced the launch of the Screen Academy, a not-for-profit initiative aimed at identifying, nurturing, and showcasing emerging voices in Indian cinema.
With support from prominent names such as Guneet Monga, Payal Kapadia, Resul Pookutty, and Anjum Rajabali, the Screen Academy will work with top Indian film institutes to provide postgraduate fellowships to students nominated by their schools. These fellowships are intended for students with strong storytelling potential who lack financial resources to pursue formal film education.
The initiative is supported by Founding Patron Abhishek Lodha of the Lodha Foundation. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the launch, emphasising Mumbai's close association with the film industry and the importance of nurturing filmmaking talent.
Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express Group, described the Academy as a step toward institutionalising excellence in entertainment and culture. Abhishek Lodha noted the Academy's role in supporting India's soft power and its creative arts sector.
The Screen Academy Fellowships 2025 will provide full financial support for postgraduate studies at FTII Pune, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Kolkata, and Whistling Woods International Mumbai. The Academy also plans to expand to include more institutions across the country.
Alongside funding, fellows will receive mentorship from industry leaders, including access to masterclasses, internships, and professional guidance. The selection panel for the fellowship will be headed by Anjum Rajabali.
Leaders from participating institutes expressed support. FTII's Dhiraj Singh noted the value of collaboration with Screen. SRFTI's Samiran Dutta highlighted the relevance for students from diverse backgrounds, and Meghna Ghai Puri of Whistling Woods emphasised the importance of financial access to education.
The Screen Academy will also oversee the Screen Awards, with its members forming the voting body. A Resident Critics Panel has been set up to guide evaluation standards, comprising Dr Priya Jaikumar, Priyanka Sinha Jha, Shubra Gupta, Nikhil Taneja, and Anjum Rajabali.
Founded in 1951, Screen is one of India's oldest film publications. Re-acquired from Disney in 2024 by The Indian Express Group, it now operates in a digital-first format across four languages and reaches 40 million monthly users. It has also recently launched several video series under the Screen banner.
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