Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col Rajyavardhan Rathore has said that Technology has played a critical role in defining the contours of professional photography and the art of film making. Speaking after signing of an MoU between Film and Television Institute of India, FTII, Pune and Canon India Private Limited in New Delhi today, Mr Rathore said, the exposure of budding young talent to the nuances of technology has a positive impact on their learning curve. He said, the initiative will ensure the perfect blend of technology and young talent through the platform of FTII.<br/><br/>The MoU between Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Canon India Private Limited will promote film education through short-term courses across several towns and cities in the country. Under FTII's unique initiative SKIFT (Skilling India in Film and Television) several short courses, mostly of skill-oriented nature have been proposed to be held in collaboration with State Governments, Universities and Educational institutions.<br/><br/>FTII Pune, one of Asia's leading and India's foremost institute in film and television education has been preparing to break new grounds by pushing to democratise cinematic education by offering quality and affordable training to general public and practitioners alike at locations where there is a demand for such courses. FTII is also in the process of aligning some of the short courses with Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana under National Skill Development Council.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion President and CEO of Canon India Kazutada Kobayashi said that FTII is one of the most reputed institution across the world and Canon is proud to announce the partnership for SKIFT which has been designed to spread the art of cinematography and film making, across the length and breadth of the country. The courses are proposed to be held in non-metros such as Guwahati, Jaipur, Vishakhapatnam, Raipur, Chandigarh, Raipur, Bhopal, Leh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands to begin with. Initially SKIFT would conduct courses such as Digital Cinematography, Documentary Film Making, Screenplay Writing, Acting, Film Criticism and Journalism and Film Appreciation.