135 Films From 40 Countries To Light Up Kashmir At Maiden IFFJK

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)

• Festival carries Rs 96 lakh prize purse across nine award categories
• Global filmmakers to engage with local students through masterclasses and panel discussions
• SKICC, INOX, Gulmarg and Dal Lake set to host a celebration of cinema and culture

Srinagar- Kashmir is set for a four-day celebration of global cinema from Monday, with the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 bringing 135 films from more than 40 countries to the Union Territory from September 7 to 10.

Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the festival will be held under the theme ' Rang-e-Cinema' and aims to revive the region's cinematic legacy, promote local talent and create a sustainable ecosystem for filmmaking and film tourism.

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Speaking to reporters, Joint Director DIPR Shahnawaz Bukhari said the festival was an effort to strengthen the longstanding association between Bollywood and Kashmir and restore the region's position on the film tourism map.

“The connection between Bollywood and Kashmir is a natural one and should be strengthened. The rise of Bollywood coincided with a time when films were extensively shot in J&K, but due to unfortunate circumstances, that activity declined. We are now trying to promote film tourism here,” he said, according to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

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Bukhari said the Government intends to institutionalise the festival as an annual event and develop it as a platform bringing filmmakers, industry professionals, academicians and students together.

“Our attempt is to bring Kashmir back into the frame. We would like J&K to become the film frame, rather than merely being a backdrop for films,” he said.

The Joint Director said the festival had received an encouraging response, with around 1,100 films submitted from 92 countries. Following screening by the preview committee, 135 films representing more than 40 countries were selected for the festival.

The programme will feature screenings, masterclasses, workshops, in-conversation sessions, panel discussions, roundtables and cultural performances.

The main activities will be held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and INOX in Srinagar, besides a dedicated one-day programme in Gulmarg. A floating cinema on Dal Lake is also planned as part of the festival experience.

Bukhari said the festival would provide local students and aspiring filmmakers with opportunities to interact with established filmmakers and industry professionals through masterclasses and panel discussions.

“We want to connect the tourism potential of J&K with cinema and give our students and local talent an opportunity to engage directly with leading names from the industry,” he said.

Masterclasses involving leading filmmakers and academicians will be organised at SKICC, while media professionals and professors from local universities are also expected to participate in panel discussions.

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Students from universities will get an opportunity to engage with prominent filmmakers and industry professionals and gain exposure to various aspects of cinema and filmmaking.

Bukhari said the Government hoped to develop the festival along the lines of major international film festivals and make it an annual feature.

“Our attempt is to institutionalise this film festival every year, like the Cannes Film Festival in Europe. If we make sustained efforts, I am confident we can bring that kind of festival culture to India,” he said.

The festival is expected to attract more than 300 delegates from different parts of the world to Jammu and Kashmir. Their participation is also expected to create opportunities for local professionals and emerging filmmakers to establish networks and explore collaborations.

The festival carries a prize purse of R s 96 lakh across nine award categories. The Best Film will receive the highest prize of Rs 25 lakh, while Best Director and Best Debut Film of a Director carry prizes of Rs 15 lakh each. The Best Film – J&K Select award carries a prize of Rs 10 lakh.

The selected films will be screened under categories including International Panorama, Bharat Panorama, Cinema of the World, Documentary, Hybrid Documentary and J&K Select.

Gulmarg, Dal Lake to add to festival experience

Gulmarg will also form part of the festival experience, with the administration seeking to showcase Jammu and Kashmir's tourism potential to visiting filmmakers and delegates.

The Gulmarg Development Authority has prepared a dedicated itinerary highlighting the resort's scenic beauty, adventure activities, hospitality, local culture and tourism infrastructure.

Special attention has been given to branding and beautification along the Narbal-Gulmarg stretch, besides sanitation, cleanliness, healthcare and emergency response arrangements.

The administration has also inspected Dal Lake to assess cleaning and aesthetic arrangements ahead of the arrival of filmmakers and guests.

Through the festival, the Government intends to use cinema as a platform to showcase Jammu and Kashmir's landscapes, cultural heritage, handicrafts, tourism potential and creative talent to a national and international audience.

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