Movie Channels

Immersion Program Kicks Off at IAFT

Published

20 years ago

August 2, 2006

CEBU, PHILIPPINES – After much anticipation by international media, the International Academy of Film and Television’s one-year immersion program finally launched on January 17.

Industry watchers are sitting up because this means a steady stream of filmmakers from film capitals such as Los Angeles and New York, will be making its way for Mactan island in Cebu, where the academy is located, to take up teaching positions. This term, the faculty members include:

” Ruel Dahis Antipuesto, an established filmmaker and photographer who won the 2004 Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines Award, among others;

” Robert Bell, an award-winning writer-producer-director who has worked in the Middle East, Europe and Asia;

” Timothy Doolen, who has worked with New Line Cinema and DreamWorks. His credits include Catch Me If You Can, The Ring and House of Sand and Fog;

” Peter Enright, who has been shooting intensively in the former Soviet republics, Australia and Britain for the last 30 years. Specializing in documentaries, he has worked with BBC, ABC and NBC;

” Ivan Kintanar, who is the co-founder and was the technical director and head animator of Warhamster Studios in the Philippines;

” Marianne Persson, a producer who used to collaborate with eminent Swedish directors, Daniel Bergman, Mai Zetterling and Gunnel Lindblom. She has been teaching film in Sweden and Singapore.

IAFT has already inked a teaching contract with New York-based photographer and filmmaker, Roberto Minervini, for the second term. Such a list of faculty members reinforces IAFT’s emphasis on combining theoretical work with real-world applications as these professionals will enrich classes with their global experience.

Despite the stellar line-up of film industry veterans, the One-Year Immersion Program is offered at a surprisingly competitive rate: while similar programs in the United States charge between US$25,000 to US$30,000, the Program costs only US$8,000 for international students and US$5,000 for local Filipino students. According to program director, Stephen Paine, there have been numerous enquiries about this unique beachside campus, stocked with state-of-the-art facilities, from countries as far away as Australia and the United States.

To encourage budding filmmakers, IAFT even established a Scholarship Fund for students who wish to attend its courses. The Fund comprises three assistance programs: one need-based award, CineLikha Young Filmmaker Scholarship, and two merit-based awards, IAFT Lumi?re Fellowship and Emergent Artists Award.

Awards with a total value of about US$30,000 will be granted based on student’s annual income (for the need-based award) or prior creative history and demonstrated potential (for merit-based awards). In fact, CineLikha Young Filmmaker Scholarship has already been awarded to 21-year-old Dwight Handro Baisac Buot, who is an IT instructor at AMA Computer College. The other awards are still open for application.

The Program, which consists of five 9-week courses, The Program, which consists of five 9-week courses, includes courses on cinematography, editing, directing, screenwriting, producing, filmmaking, sound design and other electives. Students will also get to work closely with the faculty members to for their final project which can be part of their professional reel.

IAFT accepts a new student intake every two months so subsequent terms will begin on: March 27, June 5, August 14 and October 23. Housing is available for students at the 68-room dormitory, Casablanca Inn, which is a five-minute walk from the campus.

For more information, please call +63-32-342-8889 or 1-866-300-7207 (toll-free from U.S.). Alternatively, you can visit www.filmschool.ph.

About International Academy of Film and Television

The International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT) offers courses that combine theory and application training under the directions of leading Hollywood filmmakers serving as faculty mentors. Located in the heart of Asia on Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines, this tropical beachside campus houses state-of-the-art facilities for filming and post production. IAFT extends a comprehensive, hands-on approach to making films and videos using the latest in equipment and technology. Courses are designed for aspiring filmmakers as well as industry professionals looking to advance their skill sets.

The IAFT presents a unique internship program that allows selected students to work on feature films and television productions with Bigfoot Entertainment. Our curriculum serves to nurture the creativity and individual talents of each student, cultivating the next generation of filmmakers, and continuing the entertainment traditions of Hollywood and other film capitals of the world.

The IAFT creates an interactive learning institution and curriculum that serves to nurture the next generation of filmmakers, thereby continuing the entertainment traditions of Hollywood and other film capitals of the world.

The International Academy of Film and Television brings Hollywood to Asia.

For more information, visit www.filmschool.ph.

ABOUT BIGFOOT ENTERTAINMENT

Bigfoot Entertainment is a fully integrated entertainment company specializing in four different areas: production, professional training, production services and film financing.

With newly constructed first-rate production and post facilities in Southeast Asia, Bigfoot Productions produces quality independent feature films, television programming and educational content for all regions of the world. Check out our projects at: www.bigfootentertainment.com

The International Academy of Film and Television offers professional training programs to create the future filmmakers of tomorrow. Industry mentors from around the world, including Hollywood, teach at our facilities using an immersion and hands-on approach. Find out more at: www.filmschool.ph

Bigfoot Production Services is a full service, one-stop shop with state-of-the-art sound stages, post facilities, equipment, crew, talent, housing and locations. It offers an infrastructure to make shooting in Cebu easier and competitive rates for productions to save money. More info at: www.bigfootentertainment.com

Bigfoot Partners invests in emerging as well as established filmmakers who seek financing to produce modest budget yet high quality independent productions. Film projects can be submitted through the fund’s website at: www.bigfootpartners.com

Movie Channels

Laughs meet chills as ‘Jhamkudi’ hits TV screens

Published

3 months ago

November 13, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Get ready for a hauntingly good time as Jhamkudi, the Gujarati blockbuster that cast a spell on cinema-goers, makes its world television premiere on Shemaroo Josh this 14 November at 7 PM.

Directed by Umang Vyas, the film takes viewers to the eerie village of Raniwada, where Navratri celebrations are overshadowed by the curse of a vengeful witch. Enter Bablo, a quirky real estate agent, and Kumud, a royal heir, whose fates collide in a hilarious and spooky chain of events that’s equal parts chaos and charm.

The film stars national award-winning actress Manasi Parekh, who shines once again with her trademark depth and grace, alongside Viraj Ghelani, the digital sensation whose comic timing is as sharp as ever. The stellar ensemble also includes Ojas Rawal, Sanjay Goradia, Jayesh More, Krunal Pandit, Chetan Daiya, and Bhavini Jani.

Blending goosebumps with giggles, Jhamkudi proves that even horror can have heart. With its sharp writing, witty dialogues, and a dash of desi masala, the film promises an evening of family fun that’s both thrilling and thoroughly entertaining.

So mark your calendars, grab some popcorn, and tune in to Shemaroo Josh on 14 November at 7 PM for the perfect mix of fright and delight, because this witch tale is all about wicked fun!

Movie Channels

Zee reels in record highs with a blockbuster show of movie magic

Published

3 months ago

November 5, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: In a cinematic twist worthy of its own premiere, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’) has pulled off a blockbuster of its own recording a three-year high share of 28.7 per cent in the Hindi movie cluster in Q2FY26. Proving that great storytelling never goes out of style, the content and technology powerhouse has reaffirmed its dominance in India’s ever-competitive movie broadcast landscape.

Leading the charge is Zee Cinema, which reclaimed its position as the No. 1 Hindi movie channel (15 plus HSM Urban) this quarter. Its line-up of premieres from the rural rumbler Jaat to the slick actioner Game Changer pulled in massive audiences. But it was Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2 that truly stole the show, delivering the highest-rated movie premiere of FY26 so far. The last film to achieve a similar feat? Gadar 2, also a Zee Cinema triumph from November 2023.

Meanwhile, Zee’s Free-to-Air dynamos Anmol Cinema and Zee Action flexed their reach muscle, becoming the most-watched channels across all languages and genres. Each channel drew in more than 116 million viewers, proving that free TV still holds unbeatable sway in Indian households.

The story doesn’t end in Hindi. Zee’s regional clusters continue to script their own success stories. In Marathi, Zee Talkies, Zee Yuva, and Zee Chitramandir maintained their near-50 per cent market share, with the world television premiere of Phullwanti delivering the highest ratings of the quarter. Down south, Zee Thirai (Tamil) and Zee Cinemalu (Telugu) kept their leadership intact, while Zee Biskope in the Bhojpuri belt ranked among the top three in its market, a cinematic sweep across regions.

“The growth of our movies cluster across languages is a strong reflection of our content strategy focusing on new super-hit premieres, classic titles from our library and data-driven curation,” said a company spokesperson. “The genre’s unmatched reach and strong resonance amongst male viewers and the youth also enable it to deliver scale and strategic value to advertisers across markets.”

And those advertisers are clearly tuning in. The genre’s steady viewership and distinct audience base make Hindi movie channels a mainstay in media mixes for India’s top ten advertisers. In September 2025 alone, Zee’s 22 movie channels across six languages reached over 550 million viewers, a testament to the scale and staying power of its cinematic empire.

From Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Karan Arjun to RRR and Bobby, Zee’s vast film library continues to bridge nostalgia and novelty. Some titles have reached iconic status Hum Aapke Hain Koun, for instance, has been watched by a staggering 250 million people over the past five years, roughly equal to the population of the world’s fifth most populous country.

As Zee continues to blend data with drama and strategy with storytelling, it’s clear the brand isn’t just broadcasting films, it’s curating a cultural phenomenon. For millions of viewers across India, the show must go on and with Zee, it most certainly will

Movie Channels

Lights, camera, boo! &pictures turns full on spooky

Published

4 months ago

October 31, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Trick or treat, but make it filmi! This Halloween, &pictures is turning up the spook-o-meter with ‘Full On Halloween’, a fun-horror movie marathon airing all day on 31 October 2025. Promising goosebumps, giggles and ghostly surprises, the channel is set to deliver a perfect mix of fright and fun.

From eerie small-town tales to supernatural showdowns, the line-up packs in something for everyone. The chills kick off at 8:45 am with Kakuda, starring Sonakshi Sinha and Riteish Deshmukh, followed by the mischievous The Bhootni at 3:15 pm, featuring Sanjay Dutt, Palak Tiwari and Mouni Roy. At 5:30 pm, Phone Bhoot dials up laughs and scares with Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi, before the visually rich folklore fantasy Tumbbad closes the night at 10:40 pm.

Adding to the fun are K3 Kaali Ka Karishma, Om Bheem Bush, and Bhaagmathi, keeping the thrills fresh and spooky spirits high. With a blend of humour, horror, and high-energy storytelling, Full On Halloween promises a day where jump scares meet joyrides.

So this 31 October, grab your popcorn and your courage, because Halloween on &pictures isn’t just on… it’s Full On!