IFFJK Day 3 Puts J&K's Local Talent, Global Cinema In Focus

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) By Dabirah Hassan/ Sameer Hussain

Srinagar – Jammu and Kashmir's storytelling talent, emerging filmmakers, artificial intelligence, international co-productions and Bollywood's renewed engagement with the Valley took centre stage on the third day of the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) on Wednesday.

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The day's programme at SKICC and other festival venues featured discussions, masterclasses and interactive sessions involving filmmakers, actors, writers and cinema professionals.

Focus on next generation of storytellers

The day began with an in-conversation session titled Echoes of the Chinar: Empowering J&K's Next Generation of Storytellers, focusing on youth, local institutions and emerging cinematic voices shaping the representation of Jammu and Kashmir on screen.

The session was moderated by filmmaker Danish Renzu and featured filmmaker and writer Rahhat Shah Kazmi.

Speakers emphasised the need to nurture storytellers from within the region and create a stronger cinematic ecosystem that provides young people opportunities to learn, create and collaborate.

Another session, Thrillers in the Valley: Crafting Suspense in J&K, explored how Kashmir's landscape, atmosphere and local context could be used as important elements in suspense and thriller narratives.

ADVERTISEMENT Push for stronger Bollywood-Kashmir connect

Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, called for strengthening the longstanding relationship between Kashmir and Bollywood and urged filmmakers to return to the Valley.

“Our relations with Bollywood will become stronger. Kashmir and Bollywood have had a very old relationship, and that relationship will become stronger,” Wani told reporters at INOX Srinagar.

He also called on filmmakers to shoot their projects in Kashmir and provide greater opportunities to local talent.

Global opportunities for J&K cinema

The session Global Partnerships in the Valley: Co-Producing Jammu and Kashmiri Cinema for the World examined avenues for international collaboration and ways to strengthen the region's presence in the global film ecosystem.

The discussion covered international co-production, sustainable financing, creative partnerships and festival-market strategies for Jammu and Kashmiri cinema.

The panel was moderated by Rabiranjan Maitra and featured Kapil Matoo, Munjal Shroff and Saba Bhat.

Screenwriting also featured through A Writer's Story: Penning the Warmth of Jammu and Kashmir, which examined character arcs, dialogue, structural economy and storytelling rooted in the Valley.

AI and documentary cinema

The festival also turned its attention to emerging technology with The Gentle Truth: AI and the Beautiful Soul of Jammu and Kashmir.

The panel explored the relationship between artificial intelligence and documentary filmmaking, including the possibilities and ethical challenges associated with using AI in non-fiction storytelling.

The discussion also touched upon observational cinema, hybrid forms and the importance of retaining authenticity and human perspective while using new technology.

The session featured Subbiah Nallamuthu, Arun Chadda, Yadu Vijaykrishnan, Supriyo Sen and Raja Shabbir Khan and was moderated by Sanskar Desai.

Masterclasses explore film craft

Film craft remained another major focus, with sessions on editing, acting, cinematography and camera technology.

The masterclass Cutting Visuals, or Cutting Emotions examined the art and psychology of editing, including rhythm, spatial continuity, temporal manipulation and the emotional impact of the cut.

Another masterclass, Beyond the Stage: Inside the Actor's Craft, explored theatrical training, embodied performance and contemporary approaches to screen acting, with actor and director Chittaranjan Tripathy sharing his insights.

A separate session, Catching the Light: Cinematography in the Valley, focused on natural lighting motifs, lens choices and contemporary visual framing.

The festival also organised The Moving Image: From Sensor to Frame, a workshop on camera technology and optical engineering, covering large-format sensors, colour science and developments in cinematic lens engineering.

Bollywood stars revisit Kashmir

The festival also hosted a media interaction with the team of Main Vaapas Aunga, featuring playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, actor-producer Sanjay Suri, actor Vedang Raina and actress Sharvari.

Suri said the return of a filmmaking atmosphere to Kashmir after decades was significant for both the Valley and the film industry.

Raina spoke about his personal connection with Kashmir, saying his family was from Rainawari and that Kashmir would always remain home.

Chauhan recalled singing the popular Bumro Bumro and said she had always dreamed of visiting Kashmir.

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She said her return to the Valley left a deep impression on her and expressed a desire to return for a concert.

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