MET Institute of Mass Media
Certificate in Documentary Film Making
Programme Philosophy: Documentary Matters
Documentary cinema holds a unique position of trust and responsibility. It has the power to question authority, amplify unheard voices, and influence social change. This programme is built on the belief that documentaries are not merely films—but instruments of awareness, accountability, and transformation.
Students are encouraged to discover their own narrative voice while learning how documentaries travel across festivals, streaming platforms, advocacy spaces, and community circuits.
“Documentary Matters” is an intensive, practice-based 24-week/100 hours certi?cation program designed to equip emerging ?lmmakers with the intellectual, creative, and ethical foundation to tell real stories that matter.
The course emphasises the creative development and structural discipline required to make powerful non?ction ?lms. Students will learn to research deeply, develop narrative structures, build access and trust with subjects, and shape ideas into emotionally and socially resonant documentaries.
The course also places strong emphasis on distribution, funding, and impact strategy, helping students understand how documentaries travel through festivals, streaming, community circuits, and advocacy networks.
By the end of the program, students (working in teams (8–10) will produce 15– 25 minute short documentaries that are festival-ready, accompanied by a conceptual outreach and impact plan).
What You Will Learn
By the end of the programme, students will be able to:
- Understand the creative, ethical, and journalistic foundations of documentary filmmaking
- Research, develop, and structure real stories for nonfiction cinema
- Build access, trust, and ethical relationships with subjects and communities
- Design strong narrative arcs and editorial structures
- Execute field production and post-production workflows for documentaries
- Develop distribution, funding, and impact strategies
- Produce a professional short documentary with an outreach portfolio
- Programme Type: Certification Course (Professional Programme)
- Duration: 24 Weeks
- Engagement: 4 hours per week (with optional lab and mentoring sessions)
- Total Learning Hours: Approximately 100 hours
Program Highlights:
- Learn from award-winning filmmakers, journalists, and impact producers
- Hands-on mentorship through every stage of filmmaking
- Exposure to Indian and global documentary case studies
- Strong focus on ethics, consent, and responsible storytelling
- Training in funding applications, festival submissions, and impact campaigns
- Final public showcase and networking event with industry professionals
Programme Structure
The programme is structured into six learning phases:
- Introduction to Advertising & Film Language
- Idea Generation, Scripts & Storyboards
- Pre-Production & Visual Planning
- Direction & Production Techniques
- Post-Production & Finishing
- Final Ad Film Project & Presentation
Each phase integrates theory, demonstrations, practical exercises, and mentor feedback.
By the end of the course, students will:
- Understand the creative, ethical, and journalistic foundations of non-?ction storytelling.
- Learn to research, develop, and structure real stories for ?lm.
- Gain a deep understanding of collaboration, authorship, and access in documentary work.
- Develop ?uency in non?ction narrative design and editing.
- Build strategies for distribution, funding, and impact campaigns that amplify their ?lms.
- Produce one short documentary and one professional-level outreach and distribution portfolio.
- Develop and produce one original 15-25 minute non?ction ?lm of professional standard.
- Demonstrate the ability to research, plan, and execute a documentary ethically and coherently.
- Understand how to navigate funding, festival, and distribution pathways.
- Design and articulate an outreach and impact strategy aligned with their ?lm’s purpose.
- Possess the con?dence and professional materials to launch their ?lms and themselves into the non?ction landscape.
- The program blends seminars, ?eld research, mentorship, and guest sessions.
- Students learn by developing their own documentary from concept to completion under professional supervision.
- Technical demonstrations are handled by invited experts to show the practical differences between ?ction and non?ction work?ows.
Anupama Mandloi
Impact Producer
Anupama Mandloi is an impact producer and a leading advocate for sustainability in the ?lm and television industry. Through initiatives like India GreenSet and the India Sustainable Entertainment Alliance (ISEA), she champions the adoption of sustainable practices in media production. She is deeply committed to exploring storytelling as a catalyst for change, designing workshops that spotlight the power of ?lm to inspire awareness and action. She is the current Regional Ambassador for the Global Impact Producers Alliance (GIPA).
Anupama’s debut as a producer was marked by the award winning documentary Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha, a poignant and humorous exploration of ageing and community.
Before she transitioned into impact-driven storytelling, Anupama built a distinguished career in the Indian television industry, holding leadership roles at major networks including Sony, SAB, and STAR. As the former Managing Director of Fremantle India, she helped establish the company's reputation for integrity and creative excellence. She later worked as an independent Content Consultant, collaborating with clients such as Zee5. Anupama is an alumna of Harvard Business School’s Executive Education program.
Maya Rao
Film Maker
Maya Rao has done her post-graduation in Film Direction from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and has since then been working in the Media Industry. She started her career in advertising and then moved to television with several shows on mainstream entertainment channels. She was the Creative Director India of Pogo Channel, Turner International. One of her ?agship shows has won several awards.
She has also made several documentaries & has developed & executed shows for digital platforms. She is also the visiting faculty at SIMC, Seamedu, and Global Skills Academy among others and has been on the panel of judging student ?lms and on the ITA television shows. She is actively involved in promoting indigenous arts and theatre and has produced and directed several plays.
Career Opportunities
The selection process is designed to identify students with creative thinking, storytelling ability and a passion for documentary ?lms.
Step 1: Creative Essay (Written Test)
Why do you want to learn documentary ?lmmaking?
Before you answer, read this carefully, This is not a test of ?lm terminology or fancy language. This is a test of curiosity, observation, and honesty.
In your essay, tell us:
- What real story, person, issue, moment, or obsession makes you want to pick up a Camera.
- When did you ?rst realise that real life is stranger, messier, and more interesting than ?ction?
- What makes you want to document, not just watch?
You can be funny. You can be personal. You can be awkwardly honest. You can even change your mind mid-essay - real ?lmmakers do.
Please do NOT:
- Begin with “Documentary ?lmmaking is a powerful medium…”
- Write what you think we want to hear.
- Google “why documentary ?lmmaking” and remix it.
Step 2: Personal Interview
Shortlisted candidates will appear for a personal interview to evaluate their creative mindset, communication skills, and motivation to pursue Documentary Filmmaking.
Final selection will be based on performance in both a written essay and an interview.
Selection Procedure
The Documentary Film Making program prepares learners for impactful careers in factual storytelling across media, social change platforms, and digital ecosystems.
Career Pathways Include:
- Documentary Filmmaker / Director
- Researcher & Script Developer
- Assistant Director (Non-Fiction)
- Visual Journalist
- Non-Fiction Content Producer
- Digital Storyteller (OTT & Web Platforms)
- NGO & Development Communication Specialist
- Independent Content Creator
- Archival & Research Consultant
Eligibility
Graduates or Postgraduates from any stream with a keen interest in non-fiction storytelling, social narratives, and real-world issues.
This program is well-suited for:
- Aspiring documentary filmmakers
- Journalists and media professionals
- Content creators and storytellers
- Social sector professionals, researchers, and educators
- Advertising, media, and communication professionals seeking purpose-driven storytelling skills
Admission is based on:
- Clearance of a Creative Essay Writing Test
- Performance in a Personal Interview
