Breaking Down a Film Budget: How Much Does It Cost to Make a Short Film in India?

Aspiring filmmakers often ask, “How much does it cost to make a short film in India?” The truth is, there’s no fixed answer. A short film can be made with ₹5,000 and a smartphone or with ₹5,00,000 and a full crew, depending on your vision, scale, and ambition. However, understanding how a film budget works—and where your money goes—is essential for anyone hoping to enter the world of professional storytelling.

In this guide, we break down the key components of a short film budget in India, offering practical insights for film students, indie creators, and first-time producers. Whether you're planning a festival-worthy drama, a portfolio-building thriller, or a zero-budget experiment, budgeting smartly can help you stay in control and deliver a polished final product.

Why Budgeting Matters

A budget is not just about numbers; it’s a strategic tool that defines the scope of your project, guides your creative decisions, and prepares you for real-world constraints. Budgeting teaches discipline, enhances production planning, and increases your chances of attracting grants, crowdfunding, or OTT attention.

Typical Budget Range for Short Films in India

Here's a general sense of short film budgets based on production tiers:

• Ultra-Low Budget: ₹5,000–₹25,000

• Student/Indie Budget: ₹25,000–₹1,00,000

• Festival-Ready Budget: ₹1,00,000–₹3,00,000

• Professional/OTT-Pitch Budget: ₹3,00,000–₹10,00,000+

Now let’s break down the key departments and line items that make up a film budget.

1. Pre-Production Costs

This phase involves all planning before the shoot.

Script & Development

• Writing or hiring a screenwriter: ₹0 to ₹10,000

• Script workshops or consulting: ₹5,000–₹15,000 (optional)

Casting & Auditions

• Casting calls or coordinator: ₹2,000–₹10,000

• Talent fees (if paid): ₹5,000–₹50,000 (for known actors or professional artists)

Location Scouting

• Location recces: ₹1,000–₹5,000 (travel, permits, food)

• Permissions or rentals: ₹5,000–₹25,000 (depending on the location)

Legal & Paperwork

• Contracts, copyright clearance: ₹2,000–₹5,000

Total Pre-Production: ₹15,000–₹75,000 (depending on scale)

2. Production Costs

This is the core of your budget. It includes everything that happens on shoot days.

Equipment Rental

• Camera package: ₹5,000–₹25,000/day

• Lenses: ₹2,000–₹10,000/day

• Lighting kit: ₹3,000–₹15,000/day

• Sound recording gear: ₹2,000–₹10,000/day

• Misc. (tripods, gimbals, sliders): ₹1,000–₹5,000/day

Crew

• Director (self or ₹0/₹5,000–₹35,000/day)

• DOP: ₹5,000–₹25,000/day

• Sound recordist: ₹3,000–₹10,000/day

• Gaffer, assistants, production manager: ₹2,000–₹8,000 each

• Make-up, costume: ₹2,000–₹5,000

Art & Props

• Set design, props: ₹5,000–₹20,000 (minimal to stylised)

Transport & Logistics

• Vehicle rental or fuel: ₹1,000–₹5,000

• Location meals/snacks: ₹100–₹300 per person per day

• Accommodation (if outstation): ₹1,000–₹3,000/person per night

Contingency Buffer

• Always keep 5%–10% extra for emergencies

Total Production: ₹50,000–₹2,00,000 (for a 2–3 day shoot)

3. Post-Production Costs

This phase is crucial to making your footage come alive.

Editing

• Freelance editor: ₹10,000–₹40,000 depending on experience

• DIY editing: Free (if you do it yourself and own software)

Sound Design & Mixing

• Syncing, cleaning, mixing: ₹5,000–₹20,000

• Background music license: ₹2,000–₹15,000

• Original score (composer): ₹10,000–₹50,000

Color Grading

• Basic grading: ₹5,000–₹20,000

• Professional DaVinci Resolve session: ₹20,000–₹50,000+

VFX or Titles (if applicable): ₹2,000–₹10,000

Total Post-Production: ₹30,000–₹1,00,000

4. Marketing & Festival Costs

Many first-time filmmakers skip this, but it is essential if you want visibility.

Poster Design

• Graphic designer: ₹1,500–₹5,000

• Trailer editing: ₹2,000–₹10,000

Festival Submissions

• Domestic festivals: ₹500–₹2,000 per entry

• International (via FilmFreeway): ₹2,000–₹5,000 per entry

• Submission budget: ₹10,000–₹50,000 (depending on reach)

DCP/Projection Format Conversion

• ₹2,000–₹10,000 (needed for theatrical screenings)

PR & Social Media

• Ad spends or influencer promotion (optional): ₹5,000–₹25,000

Total Marketing/Festival Costs: ₹20,000–₹75,000

Sample Budget Breakdown: Indie Short Film (₹1.5 Lakh Budget)

Department

Estimated Cost

Pre-production

₹25,000

Equipment & Crew

₹65,000

Post-production

₹30,000

Festivals & Marketing

₹30,000

Total

₹1,50,000

This kind of budget is ideal for a 7–12-minute short film aimed at Indian festivals, OTT labs, or student competitions.

Where to Cut Costs Without Compromising

• Use DSLR or mirrorless cameras that you or your team already own

• Shoot at friends’ homes or public locations with permits

• Cast friends or theatre actors willing to work for portfolio exposure

• Edit your film yourself using DaVinci Resolve (free) or Premiere Pro if available

• Use royalty-free music libraries like Artlist, YouTube Studio, or Epidemic Sound

• Plan a tight, 2-day shoot with minimal locations

Grants, Labs & Festival Support

If you have a solid concept and script, you can also seek:

• Student film grants from institutions like NFDC, PSBT, or MAMI

• Pitch labs at Diorama International Film Festival, Cine Bazaar, or South Asia Lab

• OTT creator programs by YouTube, Netflix’s Take Ten (India), or Amazon’s Scripted Lab

These programs offer funding, mentoring, and even distribution opportunities.

Final Thoughts

A well-made short film can launch a career, build your portfolio, or serve as proof of concept for a larger feature or series. The key lies not in spending extravagantly, but in planning wisely, assembling a committed team, and telling a story worth watching.