Students interested in cinema, storytelling and filmmaking have an opportunity to explore the creative side of film through CineMaestro Take 8, an annual inter-school filmmaking workshop and film festival organised by Chitkara International School.
The 2026 programme is scheduled across the school’s Panchkula and Chandigarh campuses during October. According to the event’s official website, the Panchkula campus programme is scheduled for October 12, 13 and 14, while the Chandigarh campus programme is scheduled for October 15, 16 and 17. The event is designed for school students from the surrounding areas, with the two locations serving different groups of schools.
For young people who enjoy making videos, developing stories or learning how films are produced, the programme offers a structured introduction to the creative and technical work behind the screen.
Two campuses, one focus on filmmaking
CineMaestro’s organisers describe the programme as an annual inter-school filmmaking workshop and film festival intended to develop students’ creative and filmmaking skills. Its two-campus structure allows students from different parts of the region to participate closer to their schools.
The Panchkula campus dates are aimed at schools serving Panchkula, Kalka, Zirakpur and Derabassi. The Chandigarh campus programme is listed for schools in Chandigarh, Manimajra and Mohali.
This arrangement is relevant for families across the Tricity because students do not all need to travel to a single location. However, families should confirm their school’s designated campus and registration details directly with the organisers before making travel arrangements.
The official event page describes the programme as a three-day workshop at each campus. It combines learning opportunities in different aspects of filmmaking rather than focusing only on acting or camera work.
What students can learn
The programme’s published modules include cinematography, storytelling, directing and editing. These are core parts of the filmmaking process, and each contributes to how an idea becomes a finished screen story.
Cinematography introduces students to the visual side of filmmaking: how cameras, lighting, framing and composition influence what an audience sees. Even a short video can feel dramatically different depending on where the camera is placed, how a subject is lit and what the frame includes.
Storytelling helps students think about the structure of a narrative. They can explore how characters, settings, conflict and sequence work together to communicate an idea. For students creating short films or digital videos, the ability to shape a clear story can be just as important as access to equipment.
Directing brings the different elements together. It involves making creative decisions, guiding performances and helping a team work towards a shared vision. Editing, meanwhile, focuses on selecting and arranging footage so that scenes make sense, the pace feels right and the intended message reaches the audience.
The official website says the workshops are designed to give students hands-on experience under the guidance of industry experts. Families should consult the organisers for the final module schedule, equipment requirements and any information about the professionals leading each session.
Why practical creative learning matters
School students increasingly encounter video content through films, online platforms, social media and digital storytelling. Learning how that content is made can help them move from passive viewing to thoughtful creation.
A filmmaking workshop can also build skills that extend beyond cinema. Planning a project, dividing responsibilities, communicating ideas, working within time limits and responding to feedback are useful in many academic and professional settings.
Group filmmaking requires collaboration. A student who is not operating the camera may contribute through writing, directing, sound, editing or production planning. This gives students with different interests a chance to take part in a shared creative project.
It is important, however, to treat the programme as a learning opportunity rather than assume it guarantees professional certification, career placement or public screening. Families should check the organisers’ official information for the precise outcomes and activities included in this year’s edition.
What parents and students should check
The event website is the best place to confirm registration status, eligibility and the schedule for each campus. Since the programme is described as an inter-school workshop, students and parents should not assume that it is an unrestricted public event or that walk-in registration will be accepted.
Before attending, confirm the reporting time, campus address, session timings, any materials students need to bring, and the arrangements for pick-up and drop-off. Ask the school whether participation is organised through a school nomination or direct registration.
Students interested in photography or video production may also want to ask whether personal cameras, phones or editing devices are permitted. Equipment rules can vary, and participants should follow the school’s instructions rather than bring expensive devices without prior approval.
Families should also verify whether any concluding showcase, screening or festival activity is part of the programme and whether guests can attend. The public event page confirms the workshop dates and broad learning areas, but specific visitor arrangements should be checked with the organisers.
A creative event for the Tricity’s student community
CineMaestro Take 8 adds a student-focused creative activity to the October calendar in Chandigarh and Panchkula, with the Chandigarh programme also serving schools in Mohali. Its emphasis on the practical elements of filmmaking makes it relevant to students curious about visual storytelling, media production and creative collaboration.
For families considering the programme, the next step is to check the official website and contact the school for confirmed registration and attendance details. As the campus sessions run on different dates, checking the correct location is particularly important.
