Tripura Government Partners with SRFTI to Develop World-Class Film and Television Institute in Agartala
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, October 25, 2026
The Government of Tripura has joined hands with the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, to develop the Tripura Film and Television Institute (TFTI) in Agartala as a world-class centre for professional education in film, television and audio-visual media. The initiative aims to nurture the creative potential of local youth, promote Tripura’s rich cultural heritage and open up new career opportunities in the rapidly expanding creative and entertainment industries.
The SRFTI, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, is working closely with the state government to provide academic and technical support for the proposed institute. The collaboration is expected to strengthen professional media education in Tripura and help aspiring filmmakers and media professionals from the Northeast access advanced training and industry-oriented learning opportunities.
The initiative reflects the vision of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha to establish a high-quality institution that can nurture regional creative talent and provide a platform for local stories, cultural traditions and artistic expressions to reach national and international audiences.
On October 23, a high-level meeting was held to discuss the proposed institute’s development and align its academic, infrastructural and institutional requirements with the state government’s vision.
The meeting was attended by Dr. K. K. Nirala, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India; Kiran Gitte, Secretary to the Chief Minister of Tripura; Santosh Ajmera, Vice-Chancellor of SRFTI; Biplab Goswami, Advisor to TFTI; other TFTI officials; and faculty members of SRFTI.
The discussions focused on developing an appropriate academic framework, ensuring the necessary infrastructure and establishing an institutional model capable of responding to the changing requirements of the film, television and digital media sectors.
Emphasis on innovation and emerging creative industries
Highlighting the importance of innovation in film and media education, Dr. K. K. Nirala said that new institutions must adapt to rapid technological changes and the growing opportunities in the AVGC sector, which includes Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics.
He emphasised that the proposed TFTI should explore new approaches to film and media education instead of simply replicating curricula already developed by established film institutions. His observation underlined the need for a forward-looking academic model that responds to emerging technologies, changing industry practices and new forms of audio-visual storytelling.
The approach could help the proposed institute develop a distinctive academic identity while preparing students for evolving opportunities across traditional cinema, television, digital content production and other creative fields.
Tripura’s stories to reach wider audiences
Kiran Gitte, Secretary to the Chief Minister of Tripura, highlighted the state government’s commitment to supporting aspiring young people and connecting them with opportunities in the global creative economy.
He said the government wanted to nurture local stories with universal appeal, enabling talented individuals from Tripura to reach wider national and international audiences.
Tripura possesses a rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions, indigenous art forms, folklore, music and distinctive landscapes that offer considerable scope for film-making, documentary production and other creative activities. A professionally equipped film and television institute could help young people develop the technical skills required to document, preserve and present these cultural assets through contemporary audio-visual formats.
The institution could also contribute to developing a stronger local ecosystem for film production, storytelling and digital content creation.
SRFTI commits academic and technical support
Santosh Ajmera, Vice-Chancellor of SRFTI, expressed the institute’s commitment to working closely with the Government of Tripura in developing TFTI.
He said SRFTI was pleased to collaborate with the state government towards establishing a world-class institution and was well equipped to provide the necessary academic and technical support based on its experience in film and television education.
The collaboration is expected to draw upon SRFTI’s expertise in professional training and institutional development to help shape the proposed institute’s academic structure and technical capabilities.
Potential to boost employment and the creative economy
The proposed institute could create new avenues for young people interested in cinematography, direction, editing, sound recording, screenwriting, production, television programming and digital media. Depending on the courses and facilities eventually introduced, opportunities may also emerge in animation, visual effects and other technology-driven creative disciplines.
Beyond formal education, a stronger film and television training ecosystem could support regional production activities, collaborations with filmmakers, cultural documentation and the development of local creative enterprises.
For Tripura, the initiative represents an opportunity to connect its cultural strengths with professional skills and emerging technologies. It could also enhance the state’s role in the broader creative economy of the Northeast.
However, the institute’s eventual impact will depend on the implementation of the project, the development of suitable infrastructure, the introduction of industry-relevant courses and the availability of qualified faculty and modern production facilities.
The October 23 meeting marks an important step in the collaboration between the Government of Tripura and SRFTI.
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