SCIFF 2026: Over 25,000 Government Schools to Screen Children's Films Across India

More than 25,000 government schools and 550 private schools across India are set to participate in the 10th edition of the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF) 2026. The festival will bring international children's cinema into classrooms, offering students an opportunity to explore different cultures, stories and perspectives through films.

Scheduled to take place from November 14 to December 5, 2026, the festival is expected to reach approximately five to six million children, according to information shared by festival organisers.The 2026 edition will present a collection of 110 curated children's films representing 31 countries and 32 languages. The initiative aims to make quality cinema accessible to students while encouraging creativity, empathy and critical thinking.

SCIFF 2026: Films from 31 countries to be screened

The 10th edition of SCIFF will showcase films across multiple genres, including fiction, documentaries, animation and experimental cinema. The selected productions will introduce students to different storytelling traditions and international perspectives.Several films in the collection have been associated with prominent international film festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), 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.

The curated selection will address themes such as identity, relationships, empathy, mental well-being and social responsibility. These subjects are intended to encourage meaningful discussions among students and help them understand experiences beyond their immediate surroundings.

SCIFF director highlights the importance of children's cinema

Syed Sultan Ahmed, Festival Director of SCIFF, said the initiative is based on the idea of bringing film festivals directly to schools so that children can experience international cinema without having to travel to festival venues.He highlighted that children's film festivals remain relatively uncommon in India and stressed the importance of developing a stronger culture of cinema for young audiences.

Ahmed also emphasised the festival's 'Watch, Learn and Make' approach, which encourages students to move beyond simply watching films and develop an understanding of storytelling and filmmaking.According to him, thoughtful engagement with cinema can help children become more curious, creative and confident storytellers.

Russian filmmakers to participate in SCIFF 2026

The 10th edition will also feature international participation, with a delegation of Russian filmmakers and representatives from the Embassy of Russia in India expected to attend the festival.

Their participation is intended to strengthen cultural exchange and provide opportunities for students to engage with international filmmaking perspectives.

SCIFF aims to make cinema part of classroom learning

Launched in 2017, the School Cinema International Film Festival is organised by LXL Foundation. Its school-based format allows participating institutions to host film screenings within their own campuses.The festival follows three key components: Watch, Learn and Make. While Watch introduces students to curated films, Learn focuses on developing their understanding of cinema through educational activities. The Make component encourages students to explore filmmaking and create their own stories.

According to the festival organisers, SCIFF has reached more than 10 million students and engaged over 60,000 schools through its school-based screenings since its launch.Through its 10th edition, the festival aims to expand children's access to meaningful cinema and use storytelling as a medium to encourage creativity, cultural awareness and learning.