Having seen the increasing demands for technically well equipped film technicians in the regional film industry in the last few of years of the 20th century, the Governing Body of Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society (JCFS) decided to establish a film institute in the Jyoti Chitraban film studio. In this regard the society has acquired the formal permission from the Ministry of Education, Govt. of Assam vide letter No. TEC. 131/96/22 dated Dispur, the 14th Dec., 98 to establish the institute & thus the institute came into existence on 17th January, 1999. by the name Jyoti Chitraban Film and Television Institute (JCFTI).

Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society remained as the mother concern providing all sorts of existing audio-visual equipments of the studio and other logistics required to run the institute till 2011. In 2011 the institute was bifurcated from the studio and became a complete government entity by the name Regional Government Film and Television Institute (RGFTI).  Then again in 2016 the institute was renamed as Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute (DBHRGFTI) by the Govt. of Assam.

For many years DBHRGFTI was the only institute of its kind in the entire north-eastern region of India. It’s a regional centre of excellence in the field of film & television education and programme production. The institute, considered as one of the leading film & television institutes of the country, emphasizes on holistic development of its students as a film maker through interactive practical training on various aspects of film education. A closely networked industry-institute interface is ensured through invitation of  guest lecturers from the industry, regular visits to the studios and laboratories, organizing workshops and seminars, attending film festivals etc.