New Delhi, November 12, 2025: Classrooms across India are set to turn into creative learning spaces as the 8th edition of the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF) begins on Children’s Day, November 14, and continues till November 30, 2025.
The festival will feature over 100 acclaimed films from 25 countries, including France, Spain, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and the UAE, reaching 40,000 government and 1,000 private schools nationwide. With its massive scale, SCIFF is among the world’s largest educational film outreach initiatives, aiming to integrate cinema into school education.
Cinema as a Classroom: Empowering Learning Through Stories
“SCIFF was born from a simple yet profound belief that cinema should be within every child’s reach, not confined to privileged spaces or exclusive festivals,” said Syed Sultan Ahmed, Festival Director of SCIFF and Founder & Chief Learner at LXL Ideas.
He added, “Through SCIFF, we aim to nurture young minds that watch with awareness, learn with curiosity, and express with empathy. Every frame becomes a classroom, and every story, a life lesson.”
The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes the use of creative media and storytelling in education to encourage holistic learning and emotional development.
Global Partnerships and Cultural Exchange
This year, SCIFF has forged partnerships with several leading global film festivals, including:
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival (France)
- AniMela Festival (India)
- Giffoni Film Festival (Italy)
- ZERO PLUS International Film Festival (Russia)
Additionally, France and Spain have joined as country partners for the 2025 edition. These collaborations aim to bring diverse cinematic perspectives and storytelling traditions to Indian classrooms.
WATCH, LEARN, MAKE: The Three Pillars of SCIFF
SCIFF follows a unique “WATCH, LEARN, MAKE” model that integrates the art and process of filmmaking into the student learning experience:
WATCH Cinema:
Classrooms are transformed into mini-theatres where students watch thought-provoking films that inspire dialogue, emotional intelligence, and empathy.
LEARN Cinema:
Students explore the craft of filmmaking through expert-led workshops and online masterclasses on storytelling, cinematography, sound, and editing.
MAKE Cinema:
Young creators are encouraged to make their own short films, with selected entries featured in future editions of SCIFF. Winners also earn the opportunity to join the Youth Jury for the following year’s festival.
From IKFF to SCIFF: A Journey of Impact
Formerly known as the International Kids Film Festival (IKFF), SCIFF has, since its inception in 2017, evolved into a powerful educational initiative combining art, empathy, and global learning.
Over the years, the festival has engaged over 10 million students and 60,000 schools, redefining how cinema can serve as a pedagogical tool to teach creativity, critical thinking, cultural understanding, and social awareness.
Expanding Reach and Vision
After successfully reaching 23,000 schools and over one lakh students last year, SCIFF 2025 aims to nearly double its reach, ensuring that every child in India can experience the transformative power of cinema in learning.
“Any school in India can now host its own festival through SCIFF,” said Ahmed, highlighting how the initiative democratizes access to world cinema and turns classrooms into windows to the world.
By bridging education and storytelling, the School Cinema International Film Festival 2025 continues to champion a future where films not only entertain but also educate, inspire, and empower the next generation of global citizens.
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