Srinagar, Sep 19: Kashmiri feature film The Sledge, written and directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Raja Shabir Mohd Khan, has been selected for the International Competition of the 31st SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival for Children and Young Audiences, scheduled to be held in Chemnitz, Germany, from October 2 to 10, 2026.
The selection will mark the world premiere of the 75-minute Kashmiri-language film at the international festival, providing the film and its young cast an opportunity to present a story rooted in Kashmir to an international audience.
Set against the snow-covered landscape of Kashmir, The Sledge revolves around three children who accidentally break their father’s sledge. Fearing punishment, they decide to earn money to repair it by selling kahwa to tourists in Gulmarg. Their plan takes an unexpected turn when they come across a tourist’s bag containing money and chocolates.
The discovery places the children before a difficult choice: whether to use the money to resolve their own problem or return it to its rightful owner. The film explores themes of honesty, temptation, responsibility and moral choice through the experiences of its young protagonists.
The film features Haziq Mohammad Khan, Eashel Khan and Raima Khan in the lead roles. Raja Shabir Mohd Khan has produced and directed the film, while Ramayasa Khan serves as its Executive Producer.
Reacting to the festival selection, Khan said the film’s international premiere was an honour and expressed satisfaction that a story rooted in Kashmir would reach audiences through a festival dedicated to children and young people.
“The film is deeply rooted in Kashmir, its landscape and its people, but the emotions and choices faced by the children are universal,” he said.
The SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival is an established international festival focusing on cinema for children and young audiences. Its International Competition features films from different countries and provides a platform for young audiences to engage with diverse stories, cultures and cinematic traditions.
The selection of The Sledge places a Kashmiri-language feature from Kashmir in an international competitive festival programme. Its screening at SCHLiNGEL will also mark the international festival debut of its young cast.
The film will be presented in Kashmiri with English subtitles.
