Dreaming of a career in films? Here’s how to apply to MGR Film Institute Chennai

Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R. Film and Television Institute, affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr.J.Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University; C.I.T. Campus, Tharamani, Chennai-600113, has invited applications for admission to the First Year of Bachelor of Visual Arts Degree Program of 4 years duration.

The Bachelor of Visual Arts course is offered in the specializations of (i) Cinematography (ii) Digital Intermediate (iii) Audiography (iv) Direction and Screenplay Writing (v) Film Editing and (vi) Animation and Visual Effects.

For Bachelor of Visual Arts in Cinematography/Digital Intermediate, applicant should have a Pass in Higher Secondary (10+2) Examination with Physics and Chemistry / Vocational Courses with Photography as a special subject / Any equivalent qualification with other specification stated above / Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering / Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering.

For Bachelor of Visual Arts in Audiography, minimum Qualification is a Pass in Higher Secondary (10+2) examination with Physics and Chemistry / Vocational Courses with Radio & TV or domestic electronic equipment as a special subject / Any equivalent qualification with other specification stated above / Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering / Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering

For (iv) Bachelor of Visual Arts (Direction and Screenplay Writing/Film Editing/Animation and Visual Effects); minimum qualification is a Pass in Higher Secondary (10+2) examination in any group.

Minimum percentage Required: SC/ST candidates need a pass in qualifying examinations. MBC/DNC, BC and OC Candidates need 40% marks in qualifying examinations. For Degree Courses in Cinematography, Audiography and Digital Intermediate the percentage of marks in Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering & Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering will be arrived at taking into account all semester / years marks obtained by the candidate in aggregate.

Age limit: For all courses, age of applicants belonging to all communities except SC/ST should not exceed 24 years as on 1st July 2025. For SC/ST, the age limit will be 26 years on the above date.

There are 14 seats for each course. In each degree course, one seat is reserved for candidates from other states. Additionally, one seat in each degree course is reserved for the sons/daughters of individuals affiliated with the film industry, duly sponsored by the President of the South Indian Film chamber of Commerce, Chennai-6. However, if suitable and meritorious candidates are not available for the aforementioned reserved categories, the seats will be filled by qualified candidates from Tamil Nadu.

Among the open competition quota one seat is reserved for the candidates studied in Tamil Nadu State Government Schools at 7.5% and one seat is reserved for Differently abled candidates.

Prospectus for 2025 is available at https://www.filminstitute.tn.gov.in/en/admission

Application: Application can be submitted online at www.filminstitute.tn.gov.in latest by 5 pm on 28.05.2025 (Online Services link or Notifications link). All the necessary documents should also be attached to the application. Separate application should be submitted if applying for more than one specialization.

The application fee for SC/ST Candidates from Tamil Nadu is Rs. 60/- (Community Certificate must be attached). For other candidates, it is Rs.200/-. Amount can be paid online.

Selection: Selection for all programs will be based on the combined marks of the qualifying examination, aptitude test and interview with specified weightage for each.

The weightages for various components for different Programs are as follows (i) Cinematography, Digital Intermediate, Audiography, and Film Editing- Weightage will be 60%, 25% and 15% (Total 100 marks). Aptitude test will consist of film review (ii) Direction and Screenplay Writing course- Weightage will be 40%, 45% and 15%. Aptitude Test will consist of film review and storytelling (iii) Animation and Visual Effects- Weightage will be 40%, 40% and 20%. Aptitude Test will consist of film review, storytelling, and drawing & painting.

For more details, visit www.filminstitute.tn.gov.in