The School Cinema International Film Festival 2025 (SCIFF) returns with its biggest edition yet, bringing more than 100 carefully curated films from 25 countries—including France, Spain, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and the UAE—to classrooms across India. Scheduled for November 14 to 30, the festival will be screened in over 40,000 government schools and 1,000 private schools, making it one of the largest educational film-outreach programmes in the world. With increasing interest from educators, students, and institutions across India, UAE, Singapore, and the UK, SCIFF 2025 continues to expand its global footprint.
What Is SCIFF?
Founded by Syed Sultan Ahmed, Festival Director of SCIFF and Founder & Chief Learner at LXL Ideas, the festival was created to ensure that cinema is accessible to every child—not just those who attend exclusive film events. The initiative aligns closely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages integrating creative media like cinema into education to promote holistic learning, emotional development, and experiential understanding.
Ahmed emphasizes that classrooms can become “windows to the world,” where every frame becomes a learning opportunity. Through cinema, students learn empathy, cultural awareness, creativity, and expression—skills essential in modern education.
Quick Reference Summary Table
| Key Detail | Information |
| Festival Name | School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF) 2025 |
| Dates | 14–30 November 2025 |
| Number of Films | 103 carefully curated films |
| Participating Countries | 25 countries |
| Schools Covered | 40,000+ government & 1,000 private schools |
| Supported By | Annecy, AniMela, Giffoni, ZERO PLUS |
| Framework | WATCH – LEARN – MAKE |
| Aligned With | National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 |
Highlights of SCIFF 2025
This year’s edition is enriched with global partnerships, country collaborations, and contributions from some of the world’s most prestigious children’s film festivals. The 2025 festival features:
- 103 curated films
- Content in 20+ Indian and international languages
- Participation from 25 countries
- Coverage across 41,000+ schools pan-India
- Launch on Children’s Day (November 14)
The festival has garnered international support from renowned film festivals, including:
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival (France)
- AniMela Festival (India)
- Giffoni Film Festival (Italy)
- ZERO PLUS International Film Festival (Russia)
France and Spain also join as country partners for the 2025 edition, strengthening cross-cultural learning for Indian students.
SCIFF’s Transformative Model: WATCH – LEARN – MAKE
The festival follows a unique “WATCH, LEARN, MAKE” framework designed to immerse students in storytelling, media literacy, and hands-on creativity.
WATCH Cinema
Classrooms turn into mini theatres where students watch films that spark discussions on empathy, identity, social issues, cultural diversity, and emotional intelligence. Screenings help young viewers connect deeply with narratives and reflect on real-life situations.
LEARN Cinema
Students explore filmmaking behind the scenes through:
- Scriptwriting workshops
- Cinematography lessons
- Sound design and editing masterclasses
- Online and in-person expert-led sessions
These sessions make the technical world of cinema approachable and engaging.
MAKE Cinema
Students create their own films, participate in competitions, and gain opportunities to join the Youth Jury for the next edition—an empowering platform that nurtures confidence, leadership, and creative expression.
Evolution of SCIFF
Formerly known as the International Kids Film Festival (IKFF), SCIFF has grown immensely since 2017. Over 10 million students and 60,000 schools have participated so far, showcasing the transformative power of integrating films into pedagogy. From fostering critical thinking to enhancing global awareness, SCIFF has redefined how cinema can be used as a tool for experiential learning across India and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| What is SCIFF 2025? |
| SCIFF 2025 is a school-based international film festival bringing over 100 global films to classrooms across India. |
| When will SCIFF 2025 take place? |
| The festival will run from November 14 to 30, 2025. |
| How many films are featured this year? |
| A total of 103 curated films from 25 countries will be showcased. |
| Which schools can participate in SCIFF? |
| Any school in India—government or private—can participate and host its own film festival. |
| How does SCIFF support NEP 2020? |
| It integrates creative media into education, promoting holistic and experiential learning. |
| What is the WATCH-LEARN-MAKE framework? |
| It includes watching meaningful films, learning filmmaking skills, and making student-created films. |
| Which international festivals support SCIFF 2025? |
| Annecy, AniMela, Giffoni, and ZERO PLUS are among the global supporters. |
| How many languages will the films be available in? |
| Films will be screened in over 20 Indian and international languages. |
SCIFF 2025 continues to redefine how film can be used as a powerful educational tool. By transforming classrooms into spaces of cinematic exploration, the festival nurtures empathy, creativity, and global awareness among students. For the latest updates, schools and educators should visit the official SCIFF website and bookmark this page for future reference.
