MUMBAI: International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) has collaborated with Oscar winner Resul Pookutty (Slumdog Millionaire) to launch an annual scholarship for budding sound engineers in the Hindi film industry.

The annual scholarship is aimed at promoting talented sound engineers from economically weaker section of the society. The winner would be jointly chosen by Pookutty along with Film and Television Institute of Pune India (FTII) officials every year. The selected sound engineer would receive $ 5,000 and a six month internship with Pookutty.

"The existing fee structure to learn sound engineering is very high and though talented many candidates are just not able to pursue the course. Even I came from humble background and somehow managed to survive," said Pookutty.

Pookutty is also in the process of initiating a scholarship on similar lines with the Kerala Government.

Pookutty added, "IIFA has proved its international approach. This move puts the Indian film industry at par with Hollywood, which already has a big trend of such scholarships that promotes talent. I’m very thankful for IIFA for their decision to support film technicians in this way. India has and will continue to produce the best technical talent in films in the coming years."