Pakistan

Though education faces its own battles in London and province-wide with respect to government funding and democratic community involvement in schools, millions of children around the world hope for the day just one school reopens. Seemab Gul’s debut feature film Ghost School (2025) explores the reality of one such child. The film recently had its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival. The film explores the phenomenon of “ghost schools” as they take place in some parts of South and Central Asia, referring to schools that are operational on paper, but in reality are half built, empty, or…

With gorgeous cinematography and keen direction from director Seemab Gul’s debut feature, Ghost School shows remarkable strength and film-making talent. The Urdu-language feature, which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival this week, follows the journey of 10-year old Rabia (an outstanding performance from child actress Nazualiya Arsalan) who undertakes the journey of uncovering the mystery behind “ghost school” phenomenon in Pakistan after her school is abruptly shut down. The exploration takes place through the pure and curious lens of a young girl who above-all wants to go back to school. Ghost schools are institutions that exist on paper, or…