Faridabad, November 14, 2026:The 10th edition of the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF) 2026 was formally inaugurated today at Manav Rachna University, Faridabad, on the occasion of Children’s Day, marking a decade of bringing international cinema directly into classrooms across India. The inauguration marked the beginning of one of the world’s largest children’s film festivals, which is expected to engage 5–6 million children across over 25,000 government and 550 private schools nationwide.
The inaugural event witnessed the participation of over500 students, educators, filmmakers and distinguished dignitaries, including Antonov, Attaché, Embassy of Russia in India; Nikolai Dann, Founder, ZeroPlus International Film Festival (Russia); Alexander Shkolenko, Creative Producer, ZeroPlus International Film Festival and Zeroplus.tv (Russia); Peter Anatolyevich Ageev, Director of Film Pedagogy Development, Institute for the Development of Film and Media (Russia); Lavanya Lodhi, Director, Veins of Grace; Abhishek Mishra, Regional Marketing Head – North Region, Manipal Hospitals; Zahra Mohammed, First Secretary, Nigerian High Commission; Ruqayya Aliyu, First Secretary, Nigerian High Commission; and Bashir Usman, Administrative Attaché, Nigerian High Commission.
Running from November 14 to December 5, 2026, SCIFF 2026 will showcase 110 curated children’s films from 31 countries in 32 languages. The festival features films associated with prestigious international film festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), Sydney Film Festival, Annecy International Animation Film Festival (France), Zlín Film Festival (Czech Republic) and Busan International Film Festival (South Korea). The curated selection includes fiction, documentaries, animation, experimental cinema and other cinematic forms, introducing young audiences to diverse cultures, perspectives and stories that encourage empathy, creativity, critical thinking and cultural understanding.
Speaking at the inauguration, Syed Sultan Ahmed, Festival Director, School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF), and Founder & Chief Learner, LXL Ideas, said, “Ten years ago, SCIFF began with a simple belief that every child deserves access to meaningful cinema, irrespective of their background or the school they attend. Today, as we celebrate our 10th edition, it is encouraging to see how this idea has grown into a platform that brings stories from across the world directly into Indian classrooms.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. Through SCIFF, we aim to make cinema a meaningful part of education, helping children develop empathy, creativity and critical thinking.”
Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, 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. We are pleased to host the inauguration of SCIFF’s 10th edition at Manav Rachna, as it aligns with our commitment to fostering creativity, experiential learning and holistic development. Initiatives like SCIFF demonstrate how schools can integrate storytelling and the arts into education, helping students develop empathy, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world around them.”
Through its WATCH, LEARN and MAKE framework, SCIFF encourages children to explore cinema as both an art form and a medium for learning and expression. WATCH transforms classrooms into spaces for cinema, where students experience age-appropriate international films and engage in discussions and reflection. LEARN introduces students to filmmaking through 10 expert-led online masterclasses covering storytelling, scriptwriting, cinematography, sound, editing and production. MAKE encourages students aged 7–18 to create original short films and participate in an international filmmaking competition, with opportunities for recognition and participation in future SCIFF juries.
For more information on SCIFF 2026, please visit:
About SCIFF
Launched in 2017, the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF) is a pioneering film festival hosted by schools, in schools. Bringing the world of cinema into classrooms, SCIFF gives young minds the opportunity to watch, learn, and make films – inspiring creativity and a deeper appreciation for storytelling. With prestigious partnerships and global recognition, SCIFF offers students an immersive festival experience within their most comfortable environment.
An initiative of the LXL Foundation – a not-for-profit arm of LXL Ideas – SCIFF is part of a larger mission to create meaningful learning experiences through media, events, and research. LXL Foundation’s flagship programmes, including School Cinema, Mentor Magazine, and SCIFF,empower educators and students to learn beyond textbooks through storytelling and film pedagogy.
