Drass, Apr 17: In a first for the region, a structured filmmaking training programme will be held in Drass later this month, bringing formal media education to one of Ladakh’s most remote areas.
The six-day basic course in smartphone filmmaking is scheduled to be conducted from April 20 to April 25 at Government Degree College (GDC) Drass, marking the first such initiative in the area.
The course is being organised by Government Degree College Drass in association with the Ladakh Skill Development Mission, in collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India. Organisers said the programme aims to introduce young learners to the fundamentals of storytelling using widely accessible devices such as smartphones.
Open to candidates aged 18 and above who have completed higher secondary education, the course will accommodate a limited number of participants. Admissions will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with only 30 seats available.
The training will be led by cinematographer, writer and director Sukhan Saar Singh, who is associated with the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. According to organisers, the sessions will focus on the practical aspects of filmmaking, including visual storytelling, basic camera handling, and narrative construction using mobile devices.
Officials associated with the initiative said the programme is part of a broader effort to build creative skills among youth in the region. By bringing structured training to Drass—one of the coldest inhabited places in the country—the organisers aim to widen access to media education and encourage local storytelling.
The course fee has been set at Rs 1,500, which will be refunded upon successful completion of the programme, making it financially accessible to a wider section of students.
Amid growing interest in digital content creation, the initiative reflects a shift towards low-cost filmmaking tools and grassroots storytelling. For many in Drass and nearby areas, the programme may serve as a first step into the world of visual media without the need to travel to larger cities.
