MEDIA, COMMUNICATION AND THE ARTS
Film Director
Leads the creative vision of a film, guiding actors, crew and the telling of the story.
Any Class 12 stream, then a degree in any subject After Class 12 Self-employed
Facts checked 29/10/2026
Is this for me?
People in this work enjoy
- Telling stories through pictures, sound and performance
- Working closely with actors and a team to find the best version of a scene
- Seeing a project through from first idea to the final cut on screen
It may not suit you if you dislike
- Long gaps between projects and no steady monthly pay early on
- Long shooting hours, travel to outdoor locations and pressure from budgets and deadlines
- Frequent rejection of scripts and ideas, and a career that can take many years to build
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Class 12 in any stream is the starting point. Film direction courses at FTII and SRFTI need a bachelor's degree in any discipline, so Class 12 alone is not enough. A film studies BA or BSc is one route, but it is not required.
- First degree
- A 3-year bachelor's degree in any subject, then a 3-year postgraduate course in direction at FTII Pune or SRFTI Kolkata. SRFTI's 2026 prospectus describes its direction course as an MFA, while older listings call it a PG Diploma.
- Entrance exams
- Each institute runs its own entrance. FTII's official prospectus (2025-26 cycle, the latest I could find) uses the FTII JET. SRFTI's 2026 prospectus refers to an SRFTI Common Entrance Test. Check the official site each year for the exact name, dates and stages.
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
Open to every streamAny Class 12 stream, then a degree in any subject.Check your subjects against every career
What the work is like
Deciding how each scene should look, sound and feel. Guiding actors through their performances. Working with the camera, editing, sound and art teams. Shaping the story from script to final cut, and often raising money and choosing locations.
A day in the work
A director on a shoot usually starts early, reviewing the day's scenes with the cinematographer and the actors. Much of the day goes on setting up shots, rehearsing with actors and making quick decisions when a location or plan changes. In the edit or pre-production phase, the day shifts to meetings, script changes, casting and reviewing rough cuts. Many days are long, and the work is as much about managing people as about art.
The path, step by step
- Step 1 · Class 7–12Watch films widely, from Indian and world cinema. Write short scripts and shoot small films on a phone. Any Class 12 stream works, so choose the one you can do well in.
- Step 2 · Degree (3 years)Complete a bachelor's degree in any subject. A BA or BSc in film studies builds knowledge of film history and theory, but it does not replace hands-on filmmaking practice.
- Step 3 · EntranceApply to the FTII or SRFTI entrance test once a year. It is a written test, followed by further stages such as an interview and orientation. Seats are very few: FTII's prospectus lists 11 seats for the direction course. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 4 · Postgraduate course (3 years)Study direction and screenplay writing at FTII Pune or SRFTI Kolkata. FTII's prospectus describes a 3-year, 6-semester course. Students make a final film as part of the course.
- Step 5 · After the courseWork as an assistant director, on short films, ad films, documentaries or web series. Build a showreel and a name. There is no fixed promotion path; most directors move up over many years. (reported — check with the official body)
Ways in
- Film school routea degree in any subject, then the FTII or SRFTI postgraduate course in direction.
- Assisting routea degree in any subject, then short films, ad films and assisting directors on sets, with no formal film school.
Time and money
| Stage | Time | Government college or body | Private college | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 11–12 (any stream) | 2 years | Your school's fees | — | — |
| Degree in any subject (3 years) | 3 years | Check the college's fee page | Check the college's fee page | Scholarship details not confirmed. Check the college's fee page. |
| FTII or SRFTI entrance test | 1 entrance cycle each year | SRFTI application fee: ₹1,500 (one course) or ₹2,250 (two courses), general category; ₹450 or ₹675 for SC/ST/PWD (2025 cycle). FTII: Check the notice | — | SC/ST/PWD reduced fee at SRFTI (2025 cycle). Female-applicant fee not stated in source. Check the notice |
| PG direction course at FTII Pune or SRFTI Kolkata (3 years) | 3 years | Check the college's fee page. SRFTI: one-time admission fee, nil fees from second semester | — | No official stipend or scholarship found. Paid student programme, not paid training. Check the college's fee page |
| Assisting route: short films, ad films, assisting directors | Open-ended; most directors move up over many years | No set cost; not a formal course | — | Assistant work is usually paid by the production; no pay figure given on page |
Total timeAbout 5 years after Class 12 via film school (3-year degree plus 3-year PG course), then building a career over many years
Total costOfficial fee figures are incomplete; listing sites report ₹1.2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh total for the 3-year PG course (reported), plus the degree and entrance fees.
Good to knowEntrance tests, seats and fees change yearly, so confirm them on the FTII and SRFTI official sites before applying.
Fees from: SRFTI fee structure page (srfti.ac.in) · Kollegeapply FTII page (listing site, reported). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.
What people earn
Earnings vary very widely: many new assistants and directors earn little or irregularly, while established directors with a string of hits can earn well, and location and the size of the production matter a great deal.
Myth and fact
Myth: You need a film school diploma to become a film director.
Fact: Film school is one route, and FTII and SRFTI are highly competitive with very few seats. Many directors have entered through short films and years of assisting on sets, and no licence is required.
Try it now
- Class 7–9Watch one film a week from a different country or era. Write a short note on one scene and why it works.
- Class 10–12Shoot a two-minute short with friends on a phone. Edit it in a free app and ask for honest feedback from your teacher or a film club.
- College or afterRead the FTII and SRFTI prospectuses to see what the courses expect and what the entrance involves. Then plan a showreel of your own short films.Open link ↗
Good to know
- A film studies degree is not the only way in. FTII and SRFTI accept a bachelor's degree in any discipline for direction courses.
- No licence or registration is needed to call yourself a film director. Work usually comes through your portfolio, reputation and contacts.
- Institute names, entrance tests, seats and fees change from year to year. Confirm them on the FTII and SRFTI official sites before you apply.