The institute offers three-year diploma courses in Cinematography and Sound Recording and Engineering.

M. Visvesvaraya founded the Sri Jayachamarajendra Occupational Institute in August 1945 in Bengaluru, named after the Maharaja of Mysore.

In September 1996 the courses in cinematography and sound & television were transferred to the newly opened Government Film & Television Institute in Hesaraghatta under the World Bank Assisted Project for Technician Development in India.

Government Film & Television Institute offers two 3 year Diploma courses in Cinematography and Sound Recording & Engg.

Eligibility Karnataka SSLC or Equivalent Lateral entry : 10+2 or Karnataka II PUC with PCM or Equivalent The Sound Recording & Engineering course covers recording techniques, architectural acoustics, digital recording, music, analog and digital electronics, communication engineering and television engineering.