Whistling Woods International,the film school established by Mumbai-based production company Mukta Arts, itset to open its doors to the first batch of students in January 2006.

The film school, which cost$11m to set up, is the first private initiative of its kind in the Indian filmindustry. Located in Mumbai, it will offer two-year courses in cinematography,directing, editing, sound recording, screenplay writing, acting and the businessof film and television.

The two-year courses startin July 2006 while shorter courses in stills photography and animation start inJanuary. The fee for an annual course is likely to be $11,000.

The school's curriculum hasbeen designed in collaboration with the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. The institute has also partnered with DigidesignPro Tools to provide training in pre- and post-production processes for audiorecording.

Indian filmmaker SubhashGhai heads the film school and Lord David Puttnam, Lord Bhiku Parekh and Indiantech billionaire Kanwal Rekhi are its patrons.

Whistling Woods also held ascript and screenplay writing workshop from March 29 to April 2, 2005 inassociation with Rob Ritchie and Marilyn Milgrom of Script Factory UK and TheBritish Council.