School of Media and Cultural Studies

The School of Media and Cultural Studies, (SMCS) is a part of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in India, engaged in media teaching, film production, research and dissemination. The school was in the news recently because some of their students produced a documentary film Caste on the Menu Card which was not given permission to screen.

The School of Media and Cultural Studies is an independent centre of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, engaged in media teaching, production, research and dissemination.

The SMCS has done pioneering work in media education in the country. The two-year master's degree in Media and Cultural Studies focuses on professional media practice and research.

Production is an important component of the school’s work. SMCS video documentaries have been screened at national and international film festivals and other forums. Educational institutions, activist groups, government and non-governmental organizations and campaigns use them. The Centre’s productions have been archived in many library collections, including the US Library of Congress. It has to its credit twenty two awards at national and international film festivals. The themes explored include gender, communal adfdffe, natural resource and environmental management, the city, media and identity. The focus has been on marginalized groups and issues concerning them.

The centre also has a digital archive of films, video footage and photographs. Faculty and students of the Institute access the collection. The database is also used by other agencies, visiting academics, activists and researchers.

Centre programmes include a biennial seminar, an artist/scholar in residence, fellowships to new practitioners and a Study India Programme.

SMCS films have won several awards. These include:

So Heddan So Hoddan

Videokaaran

Before Dark

Do Din ka Mela

There are no Borders Here

Inside Out

352, Remembering Emergency

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