The School of Media Studies (SOMS), Presidency University, successfully conducted a three-day Short Film Workshop from 8–10 September 2026, offering students an immersive, hands-on experience of filmmaking from concept development to final screening.

The workshop brought together 45 participants, including third-year BA Journalism and Mass Communication (BAJMC) students, selected members of the Film Club and first-year MA Journalism and Mass Communication (MAJMC) students. The programme was designed to bridge classroom learning with industry practice by providing practical exposure to the complete short-film production process.

The workshop was led by Mr Anson Thomas, Independent Filmmaker, Film Festival Curator and Assistant Professor at Marian College Kuttikkanam. Drawing on his experience in filmmaking and film education, Mr Thomas guided students through the various stages of short-film production.

Pre-Production and Script Development

The workshop began on 8 September with intensive sessions on pre-production, storytelling, screenplay writing, shot division, production planning and scheduling. Students explored the fundamentals of visual storytelling and learned how to transform ideas into compelling cinematic narratives.

Participants were then divided into five production teams based on their interests and strengths. Each team conceptualised an original story, developed a script, assigned production roles and planned its shooting schedule under the mentor’s guidance.

Hands-On Filming Experience

On 9 September, students moved into the production phase, undertaking a full day of filming across the university campus. Working as independent crews, the five teams took responsibility for camera operations, direction, lighting, sound recording, acting and production management.

The practical experience enabled students to apply theoretical concepts in a real-world setting while developing essential skills in teamwork, communication, problem-solving and creative decision-making.

Editing, Screening and Student Creativity

The final day, 10 September, focused on post-production and editing. Students explored the fundamentals of video editing, sequencing, sound design and final output preparation. Under the guidance of the resource person, each team completed its short film and prepared it for presentation.

The workshop concluded with the screening of five original short films, each produced entirely by the student teams during the three-day programme. Faculty members, students and guests attended the screening, where the participants’ creativity, technical execution and storytelling skills were showcased.

A valedictory session followed, recognising the efforts of the students and the contribution of the resource person. The completion and screening of five films within three days reflected the participants’ dedication, collaboration and enthusiasm for visual storytelling.

Strengthening Industry-Relevant Skills

The Short Film Workshop provided students with valuable exposure to contemporary filmmaking practices and strengthened their understanding of the end-to-end production workflow. Through scripting, filming, editing and screening, participants gained practical experience that complemented their academic learning.

By fostering creativity, technical proficiency, teamwork and critical thinking, the workshop reinforced the School of Media Studies’ commitment to industry-oriented learning and to preparing students for careers in media, filmmaking and digital storytelling.