PIB Raipur media tour provides journalists from LWE-affected districts an insight into film-making, digital production and audio-visual communication
Pune/Raipur : Journalists from some of Chhattisgarh’s districts affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) visited the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, gaining first-hand exposure to India’s cinematic heritage, contemporary film-making technologies and emerging trends in digital media.
The visit was organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Raipur, as part of a special media tour for journalists working in remote and sensitive areas of Chhattisgarh. The initiative is aimed at providing grassroots media professionals with direct exposure to leading national institutions, modern media technologies and evolving practices in cinema and mass communication.
The delegation included journalists from Jagdalpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur. During their visit, they explored various academic, technical and practical facilities at FTII and learned about the evolution of film-making from traditional techniques to contemporary digital production.
FTII leadership highlights role of cinema and mass communication
FTII Vice Chancellor Dheeraj Singh interacted with the visiting journalists during a detailed session at the institute. Welcoming the delegation, he appreciated the work of journalists operating in challenging and sensitive areas and highlighted the role of cinema and mass communication in reflecting society and contributing to social change.
Singh briefed the journalists about FTII’s academic programmes, including its Post Graduate Diploma courses, as well as short-term and skill-development initiatives conducted through the institute’s outreach programmes.
He explained how specialised training in areas such as digital film-making, screenwriting and mobile journalism is being taken to different parts of the country.
According to Singh, FTII is not only a training institution but also an important centre for India’s cultural and intellectual expression. He stressed the importance of taking technical knowledge in media and cinema to the grassroots so that stories from diverse regions can reach wider national and international audiences.
The interaction also covered the changing landscape of journalism education, digital journalism, regional cinema and the potential of audio-visual media to showcase Chhattisgarh’s rich cultural heritage to audiences beyond the state.
Journalists explore Prabhat Studio and historic film equipment
The delegation subsequently visited the historic Prabhat Studio and Camera House on the FTII campus.
The campus has an important place in Indian cinema history as the former home of Prabhat Film Company, which produced landmark films including Sant Tukaram, Duniya Na Mane and Amrit Manthan during the formative years of Indian cinema.
The journalists viewed vintage cameras, traditional film-making equipment and other artefacts associated with the early era of Indian cinema. The visit provided an opportunity to understand the transition from analogue, reel-based film production to modern digital formats.
Exposure to modern studio and sound technology
The delegation also visited FTII’s contemporary studio and sound facilities, where students receive training in modern digital cameras, multi-camera systems and advanced sound recording and mixing technologies.
Technical experts explained various aspects of the modern production workflow, including sound recording, acoustics, dubbing, background scoring and digital post-production.
The journalists gained an understanding of how technological advancements have transformed the process of film and audio-visual content production.
Screening of FTII student film ‘Champaran Mutton’
The visit concluded with a special screening of “Champaran Mutton,” a short film produced by FTII students.
The film, which portrays rural life through sensitive storytelling, had reached the semifinal stage of the Student Academy Awards, the student film competition associated with the Academy Awards.
The screening allowed the visiting journalists to explore how stories rooted in rural and local experiences can reach wider audiences through effective storytelling and film-making.
The participating journalists observed that authentic regional narratives have the potential to connect with audiences beyond geographical boundaries when presented through compelling audio-visual formats.
PIB initiative connects grassroots journalists with national institutions
The PIB Raipur initiative is aimed at broadening the professional exposure of journalists working in remote and difficult areas by connecting them with national-level institutions and facilitating direct interaction with experts and practitioners.
The participating journalists appreciated the opportunity to gain a broader perspective on cinema, multimedia and audio-visual communication.
The visit concluded with FTII officials presenting mementoes to the visiting journalists. The interaction also highlighted opportunities for continued institutional and professional exchanges between media organisations and leading institutions working in film, television and communication.
