Leh, Apr 7: In a move reflecting the growing institutional push towards digital media literacy and creative skill development, a six-day basic course in smartphone filmmaking, organised in collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India, was inaugurated at Eliezer Joldan Memorial College (EJM College), Leh, on Monday.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ladakh Skill Development Mission, seeks to equip participants with hands-on training in mobile-based filmmaking, a medium increasingly shaping contemporary communication and storytelling practices.
Inaugurating the programme, Administrative Secretary for Higher Education and Technical Education and Skill Development, Bhanu Prabha, emphasised the expanding relevance of digital storytelling in an evolving media landscape. She observed that the accessibility of smartphone filmmaking has lowered traditional barriers to cinematic expression, enabling wider participation among youth. She encouraged attendees to harness the training to develop meaningful visual narratives.
The course is being conducted under the guidance of Ajmal Jami, Course Director from FTII Pune, who highlighted the potential of mobile devices as powerful storytelling tools. He called upon participants to focus on originality, keen observation and narrative clarity while engaging with the medium.
Earlier, Principal of EJM College, Stanzin Yangdol, welcomed the dignitaries and participants, noting that such initiatives are vital in nurturing local talent and aligning academic exposure with industry-relevant skills.
The inaugural session was moderated by Hajira Bano, Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, while the vote of thanks was presented by Abid Hussain, Assistant Director, Technical Education and Skill Development, Ladakh.
A total of 37 participants, including 23 students from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism and 14 from the Graphic Designing course, are attending the programme.
Over the six-day training, participants will receive practical exposure to scripting, shooting techniques, editing and storytelling, aimed at strengthening their competencies in mobile filmmaking.
Officials said the enthusiastic response to the programme underscores a growing interest among students in exploring digital content creation, as Ladakh continues to expand its focus on skill-oriented education and creative industries.
