Garage Film School
Yearlong mentorship program on digital storytelling with Shammi Nanda
Welcome to the one year mentorship program designed and curated by Shammi Nanda. He is an Alumni of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and has been making films for the last thirty years. He has worked as a cinematographer, script writer, editor and director, and has also been a serial entrepreneur. The program is designed for learning creative film production, especially in the context of the digital age, where this medium has its own nuance. Learn the deeper wisdom from film making and apply it for social media by doing hands-on work and along with a curriculum structure designed by Shammi, which will be woven in the organic learning journey of mentorship. The mentorship program would create space to bring in other experienced guest faculty and their wisdom through online or offline engagements. To know more click below
Inspiration
The soul of Garage Film School ,a living space for conscious, collaborative, and embodied filmmaking. Garage Film School wasn’t born in a classroom—it was born in the messiness and magic of life itself. Its roots stretch back to Shammi’s childhood: days spent with a tenant who ran a small factory, helping fix things, push a broken-down matador every morning, and absorbing wisdom through proximity rather than instruction. He learned early that real learning doesn’t always wear a uniform. It happens in garages, kitchens, roadside stalls—anywhere people are doing real work, with real heart. That philosophy—of learning by being around those living their truth—is what inspires Garage Film School today. It isn’t a traditional school. It’s a non-formal, intuitive learning ecosystem, built on collaboration, mutual respect, creativity, and emotional honesty. Inspired by ancient learning lineages like the guru-shishya parampara, drupad music traditions, and even the apprenticeship-like rhythms of artisans and unschoolers, Shammi envisions Garage Film School as a modern-day “Gharana”—a living space where filmmakers come not just to learn techniques, but to explore their inner landscape, find their creative voice, and reflect on the why of storytelling. Here, cinema isn’t something you create outside yourself. It’s something you live, observe, feel, and grow into.
Vision
Our Vision is to build a community of ethical visual storytellers and filmmakers who support conscious organizations and entrepreneurs in sharing their work with the world.
Inspired by traditional mentorship, Garage Film School draws from a hands-on learning culture—where knowledge was passed directly from maestros in real workspaces like workshops and garages.
We aim to revive this spirit by creating a space where learning happens through real projects and shared experience.
Garage Film School isn’t a formula
It’s a way of learning that’s still unfolding—just like you. It’s not trying to create more content. It’s trying to create more consciousness. This isn’t just where you come to make films. It’s where you learn to see again.
Garage Film School was created to question some of what traditional film schools often miss· They over focus on gear instead of vision, the disconnect between the storyteller and their own inner world, the lack of collaboration and emotional honesty in the creative process · The separation of “real life” from the art we make. Here, storytelling isn’t a performance. It’s a practice. You’re not expected to have all the answers. But you will be asked to answer your questions.
Hands-on creative work—your own passionate projects, and shared collaborative ones · Skills like editing, branding, camerawork, space-setting, and sound · Exercises in observation, presence, and reflection · The chance to co-create learning tools and contribute to an evolving curriculum · Documenting real-world experiments like holacracy, conscious workspaces, and community media You’ll be guided, but not spoon-fed. And you’ll never be expected to perform at the cost of your integrity.
People who don’t just want to “make it”—but want to make meaning. People who are drawn to art that feels honest, human, and healing. People who want to learn in a way that respects slowness, silence, and uncertainty. People who are ready to bring their inner world into their creative one. This space is for anyone willing to grow, unlearn, and collaborate. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present.
The program is designed and curated by Shammi, while we will be inviting guest faculty and mentors from time to time as guides for our learners. We are in conversation with some of the most amazing film makers and they are excited to join the Garage Film School Project.
The Learning Culture
This isn’t about chasing a portfolio. It’s about becoming someone who sees more deeply, who listens, who experiments, and who grows. The culture here is shaped by:
· Collaboration, not competition
· Process, not performance
· Reflection, not perfection
· Sustainability in both storytelling and self
· Mutual respect—no exploitation, no false urgency
As Shammi says: “I don’t want this to become an exploitative garage in the name of learning. I want it to be a place of integrity, rhythm, and emotional depth.”
Shammi has traveled a lot and worked on the idea of self-designed learning and informal learning spaces. He has traveled across Brazil and the UK without any money while sharing his skills and has rich experiences from there.
He has offered filmmaking workshops in various institutions across the country. Besides, he has been doing varied businesses and also has rich experience of working collaboratively with teams, something that is essential for filmmaking as it is teamwork.
He has been part of various change movements, where he has constantly delved into developing collaborative systems of team building and collaboration. To find out more about him and his film work, click on the link below.
Topics that you will learn during the program
Working with Shammi, ends up having different learning experiences each day. Besides this, there are ‘n’ number of topics which come on every day at our work with www.shamminanda.com(Ahimsagram) you will have a rich learning experience each day. However, some of the basic topics will be covered in theory and practice while working with him.
Topics covered in film making
Placement
Our organization would explore having you join our team as a full time team member.
The fee for joining the program will be INR 60,000 per quarter.
If you find it challenging to pay the full fee you can request for discounts by writing to us.
Application process
If you are interested please apply through the link shared below and we will reach out to have a conversation with you and share more about the program.
Testimonial
"The main difference is you can work as a individual here as well as in the team, you have space to speak, enjoy, rest along with work. This workspace sees you as a whole (eg. In my last workspace I didn't have my own identity, what boss says I have to do I can't give my opinion) here I can speak up about my options, i can grab new opportunities (experience doesn't matter). I learnt to speak, I learnt to keep my points, I am learning new things everyday in work as well as in life. In my video editor role I learnt every small details of edit. Now I can multitask I can launch an entire event from scratch ( especially I developed my self confidence) now I can talk to people, I can negotiate about pricing and I developed the habit of taking new roles and develop new opportunities. This place adopt new things, dynamic space, ready to try new policies. People of this place talks about menstruation openly, understand the nature of human body, understand and give work according to human capacity, encourage team to explore new things and deal with the fear. "
Vaishali Jain
Video Editor Role
"Ahimsagram is different from other workspaces because here, everyone has their own responsibilities and takes care of their work without a boss telling them what to do. It’s more like a space to grow, learn, and work as a team rather than a place with strict rules and hierarchy .As a graphic editor, I have learned how to express ideas clearly through visuals. I improved my skills in using design tools like Canva, Photoshop, or Illustrator, and learned how to create posters, social media posts, and other creative materials. I also understood the importance of design elements like color, font, and layout in making a message more powerful. Working with a team taught me how to take feedback, make changes, and meet deadlines. Overall, I learned how to use design not just for looks, but to communicate meaning and connect with people. If you’re someone who wants to learn, contribute with honesty, and be part of a meaningful community, then Ahimsagram is the right place for you. "
Aastha
Graphic Editor Role