Noida, India — How do you become a filmmaker after 12th? Start where films are actually made, on a working set. The filmmaking course at AAFT Noida, a three-year B.Sc in Cinema, trains students in direction, camera and editing, and they shoot, light and cut real projects for both film and OTT.
Filmmaking is a team craft, and a film moves from script to set to screen. Each stage needs trained hands, from the director and the cinematographer to the editor and the colourist.
AAFT Noida, the Asian Academy of Film & Television’s campus at Noida Film City in Delhi NCR, offers the three-year B.Sc. in Cinema and the M.Sc. in Cinema through the AAFT School of Cinema. Admissions for the 2027 batch are now open.
Is Filmmaking a Good Career After 12th?
Yes. Films, OTT shows, ads and digital media all need trained crews. Streaming has raised the demand for skilled camera and post talent. So a filmmaking path after 12th is a strong, modern choice.
Pay in film depends on the showreel and the sets you have worked on. Most newcomers start as assistants, and those who build strong credits move into lead roles faster.
The latest film industry data shows why trained crews are in demand:
- India released more than 1,900 films in 2025, and film revenue reached a record ₹205 billion (FICCI-EY 2026).
- Theatrical revenue rose 16% in 2025, and 37 films earned ₹1 billion or more (FICCI-EY 2026).
- Digital media, including OTT, crossed ₹1 trillion and became India’s largest media segment (FICCI-EY 2026).
- Paid video subscriptions reached 216 million in 2025, which keeps OTT platforms commissioning films and series (FICCI-EY 2026).
What Roles and Pay Can You Expect in Film and OTT?
Pay grows with your skills and your showreel. These roles are the common paths after a film degree.
| Career Role | Where They Work | Typical Salary (industry estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Cinematographer / DP | Film, OTT, ads, series | ₹4–9 LPA |
| Film Editor | Post houses, OTT, studios | ₹3–7 LPA |
| Director / Assistant Director | Film and OTT sets | ₹4–10 LPA |
| Colourist / DI Artist | Post-production studios | ₹4–8 LPA |
Senior directors and DPs on features and OTT originals often earn ₹12 LPA and above. Figures are industry estimates, not promised outcomes.
How Do You Become a Filmmaker After 12th? Step by Step
Becoming a filmmaker after 12th is a clear, staged journey, and these steps map the route.
- Step 1 — Choose your craft. Pick a focus such as cinematography, direction or editing.
- Step 2 — Take a practical degree. A B.Sc or M.Sc in Cinema gives you studio time, live shoots and a real internship, not just a certificate.
- Step 3 — Train on real sets. Shoot, light and block scenes in working studios.
- Step 4 — Build a showreel. Turn your best work into a portfolio that hires you.
- Step 5 — Start as an assistant. Most filmmakers begin as assistant directors, camera assistants or edit assistants, then move up on film and OTT crews.
The Set-to-Screen Path: How a Film Gets Made
A film is made in three stages, and AAFT Noida students work across all of them, so they understand how their job fits the whole production.
- Story and set. Writers and directors shape the script and plan the shoot.
- Camera and light. Cinematographers design each shot and lighting setup, putting the story on screen.
- Screen and delivery. Editors, sound and colour teams finish the film for cinema and OTT.
Because you train across all three stages, you understand how your work fits the whole film. That wider view is what studios look for in a strong crew member.
Which Cinema Degree Should You Choose: B.Sc or M.Sc?
AAFT Noida offers a clear route at both levels, so you can choose by your goal and your stage. The B.Sc builds camera, lighting and visual storytelling foundations over three years. The M.Sc is for advanced craft and creative leadership. Students from any stream can apply.
| Programme | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc in Cinema (Cinematography) | 3 Years | Camera, lighting and visual storytelling |
| M.Sc in Cinema (Cinematography) | 2 Years | Advanced cinematography and creative leadership |
If you are starting right after 12th, the B.Sc is the natural entry point. If you already hold a degree, the two-year M.Sc in Cinema sharpens your craft for senior and creative leadership roles. Both routes give you set time, live projects and a showreel.
Eligibility is a 10+2 pass with 50% marks, or 45% for reserved categories. Admission is through the AAFT Global Entrance Test (GET). PG applicants need a bachelor’s degree.
What Will You Learn on a Cinema Degree?
The course covers the full filmmaking process: story, direction, shot design, lighting, sound on set and editing. You move from short exercises to multi-camera studio production and location shoots, and finish with an industry internship and a portfolio film.
Students work on professional cinema cameras, lighting and grip kits, and edit and grade in Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. Postgraduates add drone and Steadicam work, advanced colour and an introduction to virtual production.
Where Will You Train, and How Does OTT Fit In?
You learn by doing, inside real studios and on working sets. The AAFT Noida campus in Noida Film City has shooting floors, a post-production lab and a screening theatre. You work on live shoots from early in the course.
The work is built for both cinema and OTT, since streaming has changed how films reach audiences. So students train for theatre releases and digital platforms alike.
Why Film School at Noida Film City?
Location is a real edge for a film student. The campus sits inside Noida Film City, a working hub for shoots, studios and post houses. So students are close to live sets, crews and the people who hire.
That access shows up through the course. You get guest sessions with working filmmakers and real shoot exposure. You also join a large alumni network across film and OTT. So you graduate with a showreel, contacts and a clear route into the industry.
The In-House Global Film Festival
One of the biggest learning experiences at the AAFT School of Cinema is its In-House Global Film Festival. It is a three-day film festival held on campus as part of the academic programme. For those three days, the campus becomes a live professional environment, and cinema students take part in it just as they would at an international festival.
During the festival, students see how a film festival actually runs from start to finish. The programme includes:
- Film screenings: watching films from India and other countries.
- Jury evaluations: seeing how films are judged and selected.
- Seminars, workshops and panel discussions: learning directly from filmmakers, critics and industry professionals.
The festival is organised with the Asian Society of Film & Television, along with international filmmakers, critics and industry experts. Faculty and industry mentors guide students throughout the event. This helps students understand how films are presented, discussed and judged at festivals around the world. It also gives them a chance to meet professionals and build contacts early in their careers.
Who Will Teach You?
The School of Cinema is led by working filmmakers and mentors, not only academics. You learn from people with real film and OTT experience.
- Dean. Dr. Vikas Singh brings over 20 years across film and academia.
- HOD Cinematography. Ashok Dhingra leads the camera and lighting training.
Because your mentors still work in the industry, you learn current methods and real set discipline. You also build early contacts that matter when you start applying for crew roles.
In Their Own Words
Akshay Marwah, CEO, AAFT Noida, said: “Filmmaking has changed with the rise of OTT, and stories now reach screens of every size. Yet the craft still begins on set, with the camera and the light. We train students in that craft first, and then for the platforms of today. That is how young filmmakers find a lasting place in this field.”
Who Hires AAFT Noida’s Film Graduates?
Film and OTT hire on the strength of your reel, so the on-set training here is built to produce one. According to AAFT, its film graduates move into film production, OTT teams, ad films and studios as assistant directors, editors and camera crew. Students get reel reviews and interview preparation before they start applying.
On-set internships often become the first paid job. Many students turn a strong internship into a full-time crew role. Others start as freelancers on ad films, music videos and short-form shoots. So the paths stay open, whichever craft you choose.
See all programmes on the AAFT School of Cinema page.
How to Apply for the 2027 Cinema Batch
Applying is quick, and seats for 2027 are limited. Keep these ready:
- Eligibility. A 10+2 pass with 50% marks, or 45% for reserved categories.
- For PG. A bachelor’s degree, if you are applying for the M.Sc.
- Entrance test. Registration for the AAFT Global Entrance Test (GET).
- Apply online. Your online application at admissions.aaft.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a filmmaker without a degree?
Yes, but a practical degree gives you set time, equipment and contacts that are hard to get alone.
What is the first job for a new filmmaker?
Usually assistant director, camera assistant or edit assistant.
Is OTT a good place to start?
Yes. Digital media, including OTT, is now India’s largest media segment, and platforms commission many films and series.
Which stream should I take in 12th?
Any stream. No prior film experience is required.
About the School of Cinema at AAFT Noida
The School of Cinema sits inside AAFT Noida, a media and entertainment institute with a 33-year teaching legacy. Its Noida Film City location puts students on the doorstep of real studios and production sets. Teaching is led by working filmmakers alongside a faculty drawn from active industry practice.
Across the wider campus, learners come from 140+ countries and join a 37,000-strong alumni network in the creative industries. The focus stays fixed on turning film talent into set-ready professionals for cinema and OTT.
For Admission and Media Inquiries, Contact:
AAFT Noida
FC-14/15, Sector-16A, Noida Film City, Uttar Pradesh, India
Phone: 08062911638 / 08062911639 / 09811014536
Email: help@aaft.com
Website: www.aaft.com
Sources: FICCI-EY Media and Entertainment Report 2026 (March 2026). Salary ranges are industry estimates, not promised outcomes.