Pakistani Drama ‘Ghost School’ Picked Up by MPM Premium Ahead of Toronto Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)
Paris-based international sales agency MPM Premium has acquired global sales rights for “Ghost School,” the feature debut of acclaimed Pakistani director Seemab Gul. It makes its world premiere in the Discovery section at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival.
The film marks the only Pakistani entry in Toronto’s official selection this year. It tackles the pressing social issue of educational access in rural Pakistan through the eyes of 10-year-old protagonist Rabia.
“Ghost School” follows young Rabia as her village school suddenly closes amid rumors that the teacher is possessed by a jinn (spirit) and the building is haunted. Determined to uncover the truth behind the adults’ vague explanations, Rabia leads the village children into the supposedly cursed school to confront the alleged supernatural presence. The ensuing chaos forces Rabia to make a personal sacrifice, ultimately continuing her education elsewhere with guidance from a mystical white winged horse.
The narrative serves as an allegory for a devastating real-world crisis. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission, approximately 1,000 “ghost schools” exist across Pakistan — institutions that exist only on paper while leaving over 22 million children without educational access.
“We were deeply moved by the portrait of a 10-year-old girl who refuses to accept easy answers,” said Jean-Charles Mille, general manager of MPM Premium. “Her relentless curiosity becomes an act of courage, and what touched us most was her maturity in facing the adult world — always illuminated by the spark of imagination that belongs uniquely to childhood. Beyond its poetic narrative, the film delivers a powerful message: the urgent need for access to education, which allows children everywhere to dream of a future.”
Director Gul, whose 2021 short “Sandstorm” played both Sundance and Venice, positions the project as pointed social commentary.
“‘Ghost School’ is an exploration of the systemic corruption in rural Pakistan, where hundreds of ‘ghost schools’ exist only on paper, leaving tens of millions of children without access to education,” Gul said. “Told through the eyes of a curious and brave young girl, the film highlights the innocence and determination of a child questioning the injustice around her. It is rare to see the world from the child’s perspective, especially in South Asian cinema, making this a unique film with potential to reach huge audiences.”
The production features cinematography by Zamarin Wahdat, art direction by Cyrus Karanjia, editing by Raluca Petre and Alexandra Strauss, and music by Anna Bauer. The ensemble cast includes Nazualiya Arsalan, Samina Seher, Adnan Shah Tipu, Vajdaan Shah, Muhammad Zamaan, Muhammad Zayan, Kehan Naqvi, Taha Khan, Ziarat Gul, Tariq Raja and Tutu Baba.
