Guwahati, 19th September: The LXL Foundation recently concluded the 7th edition of the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF), solidifying its place as India’s largest children’s film festival. The event, which saw participation from over 85,000 students across 3,200 schools in Northeast India, is part of a broader initiative aimed at integrating global cinema into Indian classrooms to enhance education.
SCIFF 2024 marked a significant milestone, with over 8 million students from more than 30,000 schools nationwide, including 25,000 government schools, engaging in the festival. The event featured over 80 films in 15 languages from 20 different countries, each addressing contemporary issues such as mental health, social justice, environmental awareness, and security.
Syed Sultan Ahmed, the festival director, emphasized the importance of incorporating film into the curriculum, noting the overwhelming response to this year’s festival. He highlighted how the festival’s growing momentum reflects a shift in the educational landscape where film pedagogy is increasingly recognized as essential for fostering both emotional and intellectual growth among students.
One of the highlights of SCIFF 2024 was the MAKE competition, hailed as the world’s largest student filmmaking contest. The competition provided a global platform for young filmmakers to showcase their talents. Additionally, the festival’s impact was further bolstered by support from the state governments of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Assam.
The festival also featured films focusing on the “Human Security for All” (HS4A) theme, drawing attention to vital global issues. The event attracted a diverse array of attendees, including international film programmers, animators, educators, and renowned figures in the arts, such as Sayani Gupta and Pauline Mazenod.
As SCIFF continues to expand, it is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming education through the power of cinema, influencing how students engage with critical global issues in a dynamic and interactive way.