DPS Srinagar Wins National Acclaim at tGELF Film Festival
Delhi Public School Srinagar has brought laurels to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir by securing the First Runner-Up position at the prestigious National Film Festival organised by The Global Education & Leadership Foundation (tGELF). The grand finale, held on November 27, 2025, marked the culmination of a rigorous national selection process involving 175 schools from across India.
The distinction is particularly significant given the competitive scope of the event. Out of the initial pool of entrants, only 12 schools qualified for the final round.
DPS Srinagar students presented their short film “Raavan Tyol – The Unhealed Wound.” Set in a world where the internet has vanished and survives only as a fading memory, the film follows a young girl on a desperate quest to save her ailing sister. When she discovers an old journal that leads her to the last surviving internet café on Earth, she relies completely on the information she finds there, convinced it holds the cure she needs.
But her unquestioning faith in the online content pushes her toward decisions that tragically result in her sister’s death. The film delivers a powerful message about the dangers of accepting online information blindly, reminding us that human judgment, critical thinking, and understanding are far more valuable than trusting any source without question.
The award-winning film, based on the theme “The Last Internet Café,” was conceptualised, scripted, and produced by a team of three students: Manaal Hussain, Zaigham Wajahat, and Hadi Imtiyaz. Working under the mentorship of the school’s faculty member, Mr Sajad Mohiuddin, the team produced a narrative noted for its originality and technical sophistication.
The distinguished jury commended the DPS Srinagar team, remarking that their submission demonstrated “professional-level filmmaking worthy of national and international film festivals.”
Principal Shafaq Afshan congratulated the team on their outstanding performance. “This achievement reflects DPS Srinagar’s continued commitment to nurturing creativity and excellence in media and performing arts,” said Ms Afshan. “For our students to stand out among 175 schools nationwide is a testament to their unique vision and technical skill.”
Chairman Vijay Dhar also lauded the students, stating, “We encourage our students to look beyond traditional academics and excel in creative fields. This recognition on a national platform validates that approach. We are incredibly proud of the team and their mentor.”
Alongside DPS Srinagar, the shortlisted finalists included premier institutions such as:
- Sose Dwarka, New Delhi
- Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
- VidyaGyan (Bulandshahr and Sitapur campuses)
- Vivek High School, Mohali
- Delhi Public School New Town, Kolkata
- Happy Days School, Shivpuri
- Learning Path School, Mohali
- Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Vidyalaya, Jaipur
- Purkal Youth Development Society, Dehradun
- Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Sr. Sec. School, Chennai
With this national recognition, the young filmmakers of DPS Srinagar intend to leverage this platform to explore larger avenues in cinema and inspire their peers in the region to pursue creative storytelling. The school management has expressed its gratitude to tGELF for providing a platform that celebrates student artistry.
