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Join TCF-UK for a film screening of GHOST SCHOOL followed afterwards by a live Q&A with the director, Seemab Gul. The film featured at numerous film festivals including the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Red Sea International Film Festival, the UK Asian Film Festival in 2026, and the 2026 Muslim Film Festival in London.
GHOST SCHOOL follows Rabia, a ten-year-old girl, who discovers her only school in the village is closed. A rumour spreads that the school is haunted and the teacher is possessed with Jinn. A schoolboy shows off that he’s going to a boy's school in the next village. Jealous and confused, Rabia goes on a journey to ask different adults in the village why her school is closed, and she receives nothing but vague responses. As rumours of the haunted school take over the village, Rabia increasingly doubts them. She dares the village kids to go into the school and exorcise it of the Jinn, with disturbing consequences. Traumatised, Rabia is only left with the choice to either become a servant or do something drastic to be able to go to school again. She chooses to make a sacrifice, unleashing magical forces.
The film sheds light on a critical social issue. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission, approximately 1,000 “ghost schools” across Pakistan leave over 22 million children without access to education. TCF is working to give access to those who need it most, closing the educational gap left behind when schools close unpredictably due to forces outside the community's control.
Tickets are £28 each, and include one popcorn and water per person, with proceeds going to fund education for underprivileged children in Pakistan. Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis.
GHOST SCHOOL, co-produced by Cinelava and Red Balloon Film with financial support from Red Sea Fund, A Red Sea International Film Festival Initiative, and Moin Film Fund Hamburg-Schleswig-Holstein. Written and Directed by Seemab Gul.
Content advisory is PG-12 for this film.