Film Direction
Screenwriting, shot design, blocking and leading a crew from script to final cut.
Admissions Open · Batch 2 · January – June 2027
Learn cinema by making it.
Job-oriented diploma courses in film direction, cinematography, editing, acting and DI — taught on real sets, with industry mentors, in Kodambakkam, the heart of Chennai’s film industry.
- Job-Oriented Diploma Courses
- Govt.-Recognized Certification
- Assured Placement Support
Film DirectionCinematographyFilm EditingActingDigital Image (DI)Sound EngineeringDrone CinematographyGraphic DesignAI-integrated MediaFilm DirectionCinematographyFilm EditingActingDigital Image (DI)Sound EngineeringDrone CinematographyGraphic DesignAI-integrated Media
Kodambakkam, Chennai
A Global Catholic Institute of MSFS Fathers – France
Where artistic vision meets practical craft.
De Sales International Film & Media Academy (DeSIFMA) is a premier film and media institute managed by the Catholic Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS Fathers, France). Located in Kodambakkam, Chennai, the academy offers industry-focused training supported by modern infrastructure, professional equipment and a creative learning environment that prepares students for real-world media careers.
Our curriculum — Film Direction, Cinematography, Film Editing, Studio Lighting, Film Production and emerging AI-integrated media modules — bridges artistic vision with hands-on practice and professional mentorship.
Inspired by St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers and communicators — and run by the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS Fathers, France).
- Managed by MSFS Fathers, France
- Govt.-recognized certification
- AI-integrated media modules
Star Visits
Cinema’s finest, in our classrooms.
Directors, actors and technicians from Indian cinema drop in for masterclasses, convocations and candid conversations with our students. A few pages from our album.
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Specialised courses
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Professional films in your portfolio
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Flexible daily shifts
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Off on online registration
Courses Offered
Pick your seat on set.
Six-month diploma programmes and three-month professional courses. Every track ends with work you can show.
Cinematography
Cinema cameras, lenses, exposure and studio lighting on a dedicated shooting floor.
Film Editing
Rhythm, continuity and storytelling in high-end editing labs on industry software.
Acting
Voice, movement and on-camera performance in an acting studio with a rehearsal floor.
Digital Image (DI)
Colour grading and finishing — shape the final look of a film in a commercial suite.
Sound Engineering
Recording, dubbing and mixing in a professional recording theatre and Dolby Atmos preview.
Drone Engineering & Cinematography
Build, fly and frame — aerial cinematography from assembly to the final shot.
Graphic Design
Posters, titles and visual identity for film and media productions.
Leadership
A Catholic MSFS Congregation Endeavour
Meet Our Mentors
Learn from the people who made the films.
Our students are guided by legends of Indian cinema — working professionals who bring decades of craft into the classroom and onto the set.
0+ Movies directed
Mentor
S. A. Chandrasekhar
A legendary Indian filmmaker, producer, screenwriter and actor with over four decades of experience in the film industry. Having directed more than 70 films across multiple Indian languages, he is widely recognised for his impactful storytelling and contributions to Indian cinema. As a Mentor at DeSIFMA, he inspires and guides the next generation of filmmakers by sharing his rich industry knowledge, creative vision and professional expertise.
0+ Years experience
Mentor & Head of the Editing Department
B. Lenin
An internationally acclaimed film editor and one of India’s most respected post-production experts. With more than 200 films to his credit, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Indian cinema through his exceptional editing expertise. At DeSIFMA he guides students in mastering the creative and technical aspects of film editing, preparing them for successful careers in the film and media industry.
The Programme
Diploma in Film Technology
Choose a six-month or three-month track, join one of two batches a year, and pick the shift that fits your day. Accommodation is arranged on request.
Who can apply
- High Schoolers
- Under Graduates
- Post Graduates
- Professionals
- Anyone over 18
DeSIFMAProd. 2026–27
- Duration
- Six Months · Three Months
- Batch 1
- July to December
- Batch 2
- January to June
- Working Days
- Monday to Friday
Class hours
- Shift I9:00 am – 1:30 pm
- Shift II2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
- Shift III5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Accommodation facilities are arranged as per request.
Opportunities
Graduate with films, not just a certificate.
- Industry-standard hands-on training
- Training on industry-approved software
- On-location, on-set & studio filming experience
- Create your first professional film
- Build a strong portfolio with 3 professional films
- International film production — collaborative experience
- Cultural exchange programmes
- Interaction with film professionals & celebrities
- Workshops, masterclasses & guest lectures
- Assured placement support
Facilities
A studio campus built for production.
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Screening
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Learning
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Post-production
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Production
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Sound
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Camera
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Music
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Photography
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Performance
Life at DeSIFMA
Rolling, every day.
Online registration open · Batch 2
Your first film starts with one form.
Online registration is open for Batch 2 · January – June 2027. Register online and get 20% off on course fees — our admissions team will call you back within one working day.