Gopi Birla Memorial School Hosts School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF) 2025

Mumbai: School campuses are rapidly becoming hubs for global exposure, creative dialogue, and real-world learning, and Gopi Birla Memorial School (GBMS) took a remarkable step forward by hosting a special screening under the prestigious School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF) this year. The film screening was attended by over 120 students from the school.
 
Students were transported straight into the heart of Spain through the acclaimed Spanish feature film Salta. The atmosphere inside the hall reflected pure engagement, filled with sudden bursts of laughter, moments of deep silence, wide-eyed curiosity, and the excited buzz of students connecting with scenes that left a lasting impression. Salta didn’t just screen at Gopi Birla Memorial School; it sparked conversations, emotions, and a refreshing global perspective among young viewers, duly echoing the purpose behind School Cinema.
 
Speaking about the SCIFF 2025, Festival Director and winner of 7 National Film Awards from the President of India, Syed Sultan Ahmed, said, “A good film can make a child think, feel, question and dream — all in a way that stays with them for life. That is why we bring stories from around the world to schools across India. With SCIFF 2025, our goal is to give every child a chance to watch meaningful cinema and see the world through different eyes.”
 
SCIFF 2025 is being hosted across 40000 government schools and over 1000 private schools in the country between November 14th to 30th this year.
 
Adding significant weight to the occasion was the presence of Neha Jain, Artistic Director, SCIFF & Film Pedagogy Head, School Cinema, who attended the screening along with the film’s director and a three-member team. Their participation elevated the event into an exclusive learning experience. Students engaged with them directly, asking questions, exploring the filmmaking process, and gaining insights into the creative journey.           
 
Speaking about the initiative, Principal Suchita of Gopi Birla Memorial School said, “At Gopi Birla Memorial School, we believe that education must encourage students to think beyond boundaries. Hosting SCIFF 2025 allowed our children to experience world cinema in a meaningful way and understand the power of stories in shaping perspectives. Opportunities like these broaden their worldview and help them grow into more empathetic, aware, and confident individuals.”
 
By bringing SCIFF to its campus, Gopi Birla Memorial School strengthened its commitment to offering students exposure that extends far beyond conventional learning. The screening created a rare space where global cinema met young minds, where storytelling transformed into education, and where students discovered that some of the most powerful lessons unfold when the lights dim and the screen lights up.