By AKM Rashed Shahriar

DHAKA, June 5, 2026 (BSS) - As the country's film, television and digital content industries continue to expand, the demand for skilled and professionally trained human resources is growing rapidly. 

To meet this demand, the Bangladesh Cinema and Television Institute (BCTI), an organization under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is playing a key role in developing young talent and creative individuals into skilled filmmakers, media professionals and freelancers.

Officials said BCTI is currently conducting six specialized short-term courses covering major areas of film and television production. 

Designed to meet contemporary industry needs, the courses are helping strengthen the country's creative and media sectors.

Speaking to BSS, BCTI Chief Executive Officer (Acting) Abul Kalam Mohammad Shamsuddin said institutional and practical training is essential for raising Bangladesh's film and television industry to international standards.

"BCTI is working tirelessly to build a pool of skilled and talented professionals capable of meeting the evolving demands of the industry," he said.

According to Shamsuddin, the latest programmes have been tailored to the realities of the digital era. A Content Production course has been introduced with OTT platforms and digital media in mind, while the Documentary Filmmaking course has been scheduled on weekends to accommodate working professionals.

He said the institute emphasizes hands-on learning alongside theoretical instruction, enabling participants to gain practical experience with modern equipment and enter the workforce with confidence.

Industry insiders noted that although universities are producing graduates in media-related disciplines, the supply of skilled professionals remains insufficient. Many aspiring media workers also cannot pursue lengthy degree programmes.

For years, much of the country's media workforce relied on informal apprenticeship-based learning. BCTI's structured training programmes are helping bridge that gap by providing professional instruction in areas such as scriptwriting, editing, acting and content production.

One of the institute's most popular offerings is the Television Programme and Multi-Platform Content Production Course, which focuses on creating content for OTT platforms, YouTube and social media. 

The course also introduces participants to monetization opportunities, creating pathways for self-employment and freelancing.

The Documentary Filmmaking Course has also attracted considerable interest. 

Its flexible schedule-with classes on Fridays, Saturdays and one weekday evening-allows journalists, professionals and students to participate without disrupting their regular commitments.

While similar courses in the private sector are often expensive, BCTI offers high-quality training at subsidized fees ranging from Taka 6,000 to Taka 8,000. 

This has made professional training accessible to talented young people from middle- and lower-middle-income families, including those from remote areas.

Another notable feature of the programmes is the absence of an upper age limit. 

Anyone with at least a Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) qualification can enroll, regardless of age. Professionals from various fields, including journalism, banking and writing, are also joining the courses to expand their skills.

BCTI Assistant Director (Registration) Jannatul Ferdous told BSS that the institute's specialized programmes are contributing to the overall development of Bangladesh's film and television industry while fostering a skilled, technology-oriented creative workforce.

She said the institute has trained nearly 1,000 students since its establishment.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury said professionally trained human resources are crucial for improving the quality and competitiveness of the country's film, television and digital media sectors.

"BCTI is making an important contribution by providing modern and practical training. These courses are not only enhancing professional skills but also helping young people become self-reliant entrepreneurs and freelancers," he said.

The state minister expressed hope that the programmes would help create internationally competitive creative professionals and further strengthen Bangladesh's growing media and entertainment industries.