Archive · 4 Sep 2025
FTII: Illustrious Teachers Assemble for Budding Filmmakers
In the 1960s, a new film school in India, FTII, invited famous filmmakers to teach.
The school scheduled classes on Sundays when professionals were off.
They invited about fifty guest lecturers in one year, including big names from both commercial and art-house cinema.
They also brought in famous international directors.
These filmmakers taught different aspects of filmmaking, like direction, cinematography, and editing.
The aim was to give students real-world knowledge.
One of the instructors, David Lean, told students to follow their convictions.
Also, Merchant and Ivory gave advice about how to make a successful film.
FTII assembled a roster of esteemed guest lecturers for the academic year 1963–64.
Guest lecturers included well-known Indian filmmakers and international figures like David Lean.
Courses covered direction, cinematography, editing, sound, music, and film appreciation.
Lecturers represented both commercial and art-house cinema.
The guest lecturers included a mix of established veterans and newer talents.
- Who
- FTII assembled prominent filmmakers as guest lecturers.
- What
- FTII brought in top Indian and international filmmakers to teach various courses.
- When
- The guest lectures began in 1963-64.
- Where
- The Film and Television Institute of India in Poona.
- Why
- To provide practical knowledge to students.
- Institute
- FTII (Film and Television Institute of India)
- Location
- Poona
- Academic Year
- 1963–64
- Guest Lecturers
- Approximately 50
- Notable Directors
- David Lean, Ritwik Ghatak, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
- Course
- Direction, Cinematography, Sound, Editing, Music, Film Appreciation