A Message From Our Founders
Akkineni Nageswara Rao (Chairman ISFM)
When I first entered the film industry in 1939, I had not even completed my primary education, let alone received any formal training in acting or filmmaking. I struggled for many years, learning whatever I could from the technicians and artists on my sets. Slowly, my acting career blossomed. I built a leading production studio and now, hundreds of films later, at the age of 87 years, I am still acting.
I have always been grateful to the media industry and my country for all that I and my family have received. For many years there has been a discussion within the family on how we can give back and show our appreciation. We sincerely believe that the best way for us to give back is through education, and specifically, education in film and media.
We are creating the world’s best film and media school, right here in Hyderabad. The school will be non-profit and will be located inside Annapurna Studios. Our students will learn and make their films using the same facilities that are used by the industry, so that they are prepared for the industry.
We are very happy that the Akkineni family has this chance to repay the community for our success and I am looking forward to meeting our students.
Akkineni Nagarjuna (President ISFM)
Our goal is simple: to create the best film and media school in the world!
How are we doing this?
First, with world-class infrastructure. The 22 acres of Annapurna Studios, with shooting floors, sets, and post-production facilities will form the campus of the International School of Film+Media. We are also building another 1 lakh square feet of classroom and teaching space.
Second, with top education professionals. We have searched India, and the world, for a team who will manage the school to the standards of the world’s best universities.
And finally, with an open, inclusive and transparent operation, run as a non-profit entity.
We have not created this initiative for ourselves. We have created it for the entire media industry, for Hyderabad, for the state of AP and for India. This inclusive approach excites us, because it means that you and anyone you know can join us as partners in the great cause of education and the exciting world of media. And it excites us because Annapurna Studios, like every other production company in India, struggles to hire trained, professional staff.
We need actors. We need writers. We need production and technical staff for both film and television. We are dramatically scaling up our business, with new ventures and new productions. We have the space. We have the facilities and equipment. We need to find trained talent.
We believe that the International School of Film+Media will provide the talent pipeline that Annapurna and the industry needs.
