ADMISSIONS FOR 2026 MANAGEMENT QUOTA ARE NOW OPEN. APPLY NOW
Inspired by the legacy of Satyajit Ray, the Satyajit Ray International Film Institute (SIFI) is a leading film institute in Kerala, offering cinema and media education in Wayanad. Our film school combines creative learning, practical filmmaking training, and industry-focused courses to prepare aspiring filmmakers and media professionals.
With over a quarter-century of distinguished academic leadership, Dr. Rakesh Kalia serves as the foundational anchor of SIFI. A veteran educator and former Professor at Mary Matha College, Mananthavady. Dr. Kalia brings a profound understanding of language, literature, and institutional excellence to the institute, ensuring a structured yet deeply creative environment where future filmmakers can thrive.
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The operational engine behind SIFI, Balachandran V.K. ensures that the institute’s creative vision runs on a flawless infrastructure. Managing the complex logistics, student services, and administrative frameworks of the campus, Balachandran bridges the gap between creative execution and operational precision. His structured leadership guarantees a seamless, resource-rich environment, allowing both faculty and student filmmakers to focus entirely on mastering their craft.
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An intellectual powerhouse with an extraordinary, multi-disciplinary background, Dr. Ratheesh K guides the strategic and academic vision of the institute. Spanning 30 years of elite educational experience, his vast expertise cuts across Economics, Politics, Law, and Business Management—holding an unprecedented array of degrees including an MBA, LL.M, M.Phil, and PhD. Dr. Ratheesh shapes our storytellers into global thinkers equipped to handle both the art and the business of cinema.
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Shiju combines academic knowledge with practical experience in script writing, audio production, and visual storytelling. He holds a Master’s degree in Communication & Journalism from Kannur University, a PG Diploma in Television, and UGC-NET qualification, and is currently pursuing PhD research in film studies. With experience in screenplay writing, audio recording and editing, anchoring, and cinematic storytelling, Shiju focuses on helping students understand contemporary film language and creative media practices through practical and industry-oriented learning.
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Rupesh Kumar is a filmmaker, film scholar, and cinema educator with over two decades of experience in film education, filmmaking, and visual storytelling. He has taught Film Studies, Cinema & Television, and Visual Communication at institutions in India and abroad, and is a frequent guest lecturer on cinema and film aesthetics. He has directed seven documentaries and two short films, with screenings and recognition at film festivals, universities, and academic forums. His industry experience includes work as an Assistant Director, Creative Director, Script Consultant, and Actor in the Malayalam film industry. A respected film critic and author of Cinemascope, he writes extensively on cinema, world cinema, film aesthetics, and visual culture.
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Kesiya Jacob is a media professional, educator, and creative practitioner with academic qualifications in Journalism and Mass Communication. She began her career as an Assistant Professor in Journalism and Mass Communication, teaching media, communication, and cinema-related subjects while mentoring students in creative and practical media production. Kesiya has guided students in the making of short films and documentaries and coordinated Film and Theatre Clubs, organizing screenings, workshops, and film-related events. Her expertise bridges media production, cinema studies, and creative education, fostering critical thinking, storytelling skills, and artistic expression among aspiring media professionals and filmmakers.
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Athul Raj teaches students how to paint with light and shadow. A specialized visual artist holding a Master of Arts in Cinema & Television from M.G. University, Kottayam, Athul brings half a decade of practical camera and lighting experience to SIFI. His teaching infuses raw technical camera mechanics with classical framing aesthetics, training the next generation of cinematographers to cultivate an instinctive, poetic eye behind the lens.
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If visuals represent the body of a film, sound design is its soul. Ranish Babu is a sonic architect holding a specialized Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Media & Communications from Amrita University. With 5 years of meticulous studio tracking and audio layout experience, Ranish guides students through the physics of raw sound capture, field recording, acoustic texture layers, and final cinematic audio mixing to global acoustic standards.
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Anjali G is a film educator and media professional with postgraduate qualifications in Journalism, Mass Communication, and Film Studies. As an Assistant Professor, she specializes in cinema studies, film theory, visual storytelling, and media production. She has contributed to short films and documentaries in assisting roles, gaining practical experience in filmmaking, production workflows, and creative collaboration. Her work across broadcast and digital media platforms has provided valuable industry exposure and insights into contemporary media practices. As an educator, she encourages creativity, critical thinking, cinematic literacy, and storytelling skills, helping aspiring filmmakers develop both artistic vision and professional competence in the field of cinema and media.
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Abina Mathew is a film educator and media scholar with academic backgrounds in Journalism and Mass Communication and English Language and Literature. Her academic and professional interests focus on cinema, film studies, and visual storytelling. Her undergraduate and postgraduate research explored film-related themes, including film theory, criticism, representation, and visual culture. She also gained industry experience as a journalist with Mathrubhumi, covering films, filmmakers, film festivals, and writing reviews, interviews, feature stories, and analytical articles on cinema. As an Assistant Professor, she combines academic inquiry with industry perspectives, encouraging students to explore cinema as a medium of storytelling, artistic expression, and social engagement.
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George Thomas holds an M.A. in English from Loyola College, Chennai, and is UGC-NET qualified. He served in higher education for over 26 years and retired as an Associate Professor, teaching Functional English with specializations in Translation Studies and Film Studies. His expertise in language, translation, and cinema enables him to guide students in areas such as film communication, dubbing, subtitling, and cross-cultural interpretation. As a faculty member for Ability Enhancement Courses, he focuses on strengthening students’ communication skills for academic and professional success in film and media.
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Principal
Administrative Officer
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Assistant Professor
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Set against the breathtaking, cinematic backdrop of Wayanad, the SIFI campus is more than just a place of learning—it is a living studio. Designed to inspire creativity at every turn, our environment blends natural beauty with creative infrastructure, offering the perfect sanctuary for storytellers to master their craft.
EXPLORE CAMPUS →YOUR JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF CINEMATIC EXCELLENCE STARTS HERE. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR ALL BA PROGRAMS. WE SEEK REBELS, VISIONARIES, AND POETS READY TO MASTER THE CRAFT.
Studying at SIFI Wayanad means living cinema every day. Discover our admission pathways, scholarship programs, and campus details.
EXPLORE ADMISSIONS →sifiwayanad@gmail.com
+91 8281520380 / +91 9447203755
Thonichal, P. O Nallurnadu
Mananthavady, Wayanad, 670 645
Kerala, India
