Netflix wants to train the next wave of storytellers

Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and Netflix have teamed up to offer scholarships to 100 Indian students and professionals. These scholarships, covering up to 80% of the cost of six professional courses in animation, visual effects, gaming, comics and media technology, are part of Netflix's broader efforts to bolster India's creative talent pool.

The initiative, supported by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, reflects the company's commitment to strengthening India's AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics) sector, a vital component of the country's "Orange Economy".

The scholarships cover two one-year diploma programmes - Interactive Comics & Sequential Arts and Visual Effects Mastery - and four six-month certificate programmes - Virtual Art Department Content Creation, Media Tech Workflow, Art of Character Animation, and E-Sports & Gaming Management. These courses have been developed in collaboration with Netflix, ensuring they reflect current industry practices.

The announcement came after Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his India visit, where he launched the Netflix India Storytelling Initiative. This initiative aims to equip the next generation of Indian storytellers with the skills needed for the rapidly evolving AVGC-XR industry. Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Chairman, IICT Board, highlighted the importance of aligning educational institutions with industry requirements in this evolving landscape.

Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content, Netflix India, emphasized India's rich creative talent, stating that the partnership will provide emerging storytellers with practical tools and training in their chosen fields. Dr Vishwas Deoskar, CEO, IICT, underscored the importance of this collaboration in ensuring students' skills remain relevant to the changing demands of the creative industries.

The scholarships are open to students and professionals across India, aiming to create a stronger, industry-ready talent pipeline for India's growing creative economy.