New Delhi: What if a classroom could become a cinema hall, and a film from a village in South Korea or a neighbourhood in France could spark a discussion among children in a govt school in India? The 10th edition of the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF) is attempting exactly that, bringing 110 films from 31 countries to lakhs of students across the country.The festival, which kick-started on Saturday, coincided with Children’s Day at Manav Rachna University, Faridabad. More than 500 students attended the inauguration, alongside educators, filmmakers and representatives of the Russian Embassy and the Nigerian High Commission.Over the next few weeks, the festival will move into classrooms, with schools hosting screenings on their own campuses. Organisers expect SCIFF 2026 to reach 50-60 lakh students in more than 25,000 govt schools and 550 private schools before it concludes on Dec 5.The line-up spans fiction, documentaries, animation and experimental cinema, offering students exposure to stories and perspectives from around the world. The selection includes films associated with major international festivals such as the Berlin International Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, Zlín Film Festival in the Czech Republic and Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.Launched in 2017, the festival operates on the premise that schools can host film screenings within classrooms and use them as a starting point for discussion, reflection and learning.Speaking at the inauguration, Syed Sultan Ahmed, festival director of SCIFF, said, “A decade ago, SCIFF began with a simple belief that every child deserves access to meaningful cinema, irrespective of their background or the school they attend. At a time when children are surrounded by digital content, it is important that they learn not just to watch, but also to question, reflect and understand different perspectives.”Dr Amit Bhalla, vice-president of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI), said, “Education today must go beyond textbooks and traditional teaching methods to create experiences that encourage children to think independently, understand different perspectives and express themselves with confidence. Cinema is a powerful medium to make learning more engaging, relatable and meaningful.”The festival follows its ‘watch, learn and make’ model. Students first watch age-appropriate films, then participate in expert-led online masterclasses on filmmaking and finally create and submit their own short films to an international competition. Organisers said participants may also get an opportunity to serve on future SCIFF juries.
