Srinagar: Two films based on Ladakh children with special needs are making waves at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026
`Naayab – Through the Teacher’s Lens’ and `Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane’ (Little Big Dreams) emphasised the need for cinema to serve as an empowering medium for every child.
Directed by Shweta Parakh, `Naayab – Through the Teacher’s Lens’ is a documentary film about special educators and children with special needs from Ladakh as they travel to Jodhpur School for Speech & Hearing Impaired. ‘Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapne’ has been made entirely by children with special needs from Ladakh.
Filmmakers, educators and producers associated with the documentary Naayab – Through the Teacher’s Lens and the short fiction film Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapne (Little Big Dreams) emphasised the need for cinema to serve as an empowering medium for every child.
Speaking about the importance of grassroots storytelling, Shweta Parakh, director of Naayab – Through the Teacher’s Lens, stressed the need for children to see their own realities reflected on screen. She observed that stories rooted in local cultures help children connect with their identities, traditions and communities. Such stories also create meaningful spaces for self-expression and dialogue.
Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, Swati Popat Vats said society must move beyond labels and recognise the shared aspirations, emotions and potential of all children. Reflecting on the protagonist of Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane (Little Big Dreams), she remarked that the young girl was not merely pursuing education or independence, but was “chasing life”. The phrase, she said, captured the film’s deeply human and aspirational message.
Pathik Vats, filmmaker and Filmfare Award winner, emphasised cinema’s role as a powerful educational tool. He noted that films do far more than entertain. Describing cinema as a form of practical learning, he said it can inspire empathy, broaden perspectives and shape social attitudes.
Sharing the journey of Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapane (Little Big Dreams), National Award-winning producer Jitendra Mishra highlighted the growing global appeal of local stories. He noted that children themselves actively participated in the filmmaking journey. They contributed not only as performers but also as storytellers and creators.
Mishra further observed that narratives rooted in local cultures have the power to resonate with audiences across the world. He noted that the film has already attracted invitations from prominent international film festivals following its showcase at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is scheduled to be screened on several international platforms in the coming months.