‘Ghost School’ Represents Pakistan at Red Sea Film Festival

Pakistani filmmaker Seemab Gul’s debut feature film, Ghost School, is gaining international recognition for its social impact and storytelling.

The film has been selected as the only Pakistani feature at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival, highlighting its global appeal.

Ghost School focuses on the pressing issue of girls’ education in rural Pakistan and the phenomenon of “ghost schools” that remain non-functional.

Set in a fishing village near Karachi, the story is told through the perspective of a young girl named Rabia, played by Nazualiya Arsalan.

Rabia is confused when she is told her school is haunted and that a djinn resides there, an excuse given by the teacher.

She embarks on a personal journey to uncover the truth behind the myth, confronting a corrupt village system controlled by local elders.

The film skillfully balances a realistic portrayal of rural life while incorporating subtle suspension-of-disbelief elements, avoiding any traditional horror effects.

Gul, who directed, produced, and wrote the film, began her career in short films and documentaries before transitioning to feature filmmaking.

Originally, Ghost School started as a documentary but evolved into a feature-length narrative to better explore the lives of girls in the village.

Gul’s previous project, Haven of Hope, was delayed due to production issues, motivating her to take full control of Ghost School.

She said: “I decided to borrow money from friends and family and shoot the film independently to prove I could make cinema on my own.”

The shooting of the film took place in Chashma Goth and another village on Karachi’s outskirts, completed over a two-week intensive schedule.

Gul wrote the script in ten weeks and aimed to capture authentic rural experiences using non-actors alongside professional performers.

The young actress Nazualiya Arsalan delivers a standout performance, convincingly portraying the innocence, curiosity, and determination of her character, Rabia.

Gul explained that Iranian cinema, especially works by Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi, and Samira Makhmalbaf, strongly influenced her filmmaking style and narrative approach.

She highlighted how Iranian films reflect tragedy and social realities, which parallels Pakistan’s own cinematic traditions and themes.

“The tragedies and struggles of women’s lives are universal.”

“I wanted to explore them in a style similar to Iranian films.”

The project relied on her Pakistani crew, with only one Afghan member joining, reflecting her commitment to supporting local talent and authentic production.

Despite living in London and gaining international exposure, Seemab Gul returned to Pakistani subjects to connect with her cultural roots and family heritage.

She emphasised the importance of telling Pakistani stories for Pakistani audiences while maintaining artistic credibility on the global stage.

Ghost School is expected to hit cinemas in Pakistan during the summer of 2026.