Sultan Speaks: Why Every Child Deserves a Cinematic Education

For centuries, education has been defined by the written word. The textbook has been the ultimate symbol of learning, carrying the weight of knowledge across generations. Yet in a world increasingly shaped by images, sounds, and stories, the textbook alone is no longer enough. If learning is to be meaningful, relevant, and transformative, then cinema must stand alongside textbooks as a central tool in education.

Cinema is not merely entertainment. It is one of the most powerful languages of our time — accessible, emotional, and universal. A well-crafted film can reach the depths of a child’s heart, provoke reflection, and leave behind lessons that no classroom lecture could fully capture. Just as textbooks structure facts and concepts, films weave emotions and experiences into those facts, making knowledge come alive.

Learning That Resonates

Every child remembers a story far longer than a formula. A story that stirs emotion often stays etched in memory for years. When children watch a film, they don’t just process information — they feel it. They empathize with characters, question ethical dilemmas, and connect classroom ideas to real-life contexts. A film on climate change, for example, doesn’t just present statistics; it takes children into forests, oceans, and communities grappling with crises, making the abstract tangible.

This is why cinema is not a supplement to learning — it is an essential partner. It provides the cultural, social, and ethical dimensions that textbooks alone cannot. It helps children develop critical thinking, empathy, and creativity, which are just as important as literacy and numeracy in preparing them for the future.

Cinema as an Equity Tool

Unlike textbooks that require literacy or technology that depends on privilege, films are universal. A story on screen can transcend barriers of language, geography, and background. Every child — regardless of where they come from — can access and interpret a visual narrative. Cinema levels the playing field. It democratizes access to complex ideas and experiences.

For students who struggle with conventional learning, films offer an inclusive pathway. A visually engaging story can spark curiosity in a child who might otherwise remain disengaged. It provides the emotional entry point into learning, opening doors that rigid instruction often closes. In this sense, cinema is not just a tool for education; it is a tool for equity.

SCIFF and the Pedagogy of Storytelling

This philosophy drives the School Cinema International Film Festival (SCIFF). SCIFF is not just a celebration of films, but a reimagining of education itself. It brings stories from across the world into classrooms, enabling children to see beyond their immediate environments and engage with global perspectives.

At SCIFF, students don’t just watch films. They discuss, reflect, debate, and even create their own stories. They participate in workshops, write reviews, and explore the art of storytelling themselves. This active engagement turns passive viewing into deep learning. It cultivates critical thinkers, responsible global citizens, and creative problem-solvers.

Building a Values-Driven Education

At the heart of this approach lies a belief: education must not only inform but transform. Textbooks may tell a child what happened in history, but a film can make them feel history. A textbook may explain poverty, but a film can put a face to it. This is the kind of education that doesn’t just fill minds but shapes character.

As educators, we must recognize that the future of learning is not bound to the page alone. If we want children to grow as empathetic, socially aware, and values-driven individuals, then cinema must be placed at the core of pedagogy.

A Call to Educators

Why should every child deserve a cinematic education? Because every child deserves an education that prepares them not just for exams, but for life. Cinema offers that bridge — between knowledge and action, between intellect and empathy, between the classroom and the world outside.

As we prepare for SCIFF 2025, my invitation to schools and educators is simple: embrace cinema as a partner in teaching. Make storytelling central to pedagogy. Recognize films as powerful opportunities to inspire curiosity, nurture empathy, and build responsible global citizens.

In the end, education is not about producing students who can merely recite facts. It is about shaping human beings who can understand the world, connect with others, and act with wisdom. And for that, every child truly deserves a cinematic education.