–The first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) began in Srinagar on Monday, with artists and officials describing the event as an important step towards reconnecting the region with Bollywood and the global film industry.
A Strong Global Response
The four-day festival, being held from September 7 to 10, has been supported by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said the festival received an overwhelming response, with more than 1,100 entries submitted from 80 countries. After a careful screening process, 135 films were shortlisted for presentation over the four days, of which more than 60 are from foreign filmmakers. India recorded the largest representation among participating nations, followed closely by France and Iran.
Reconnecting Kashmir With Cinema
Officials described the festival as an effort to re-establish Jammu and Kashmir’s long-standing connection with the film industry and encourage productions to return to the region. The programme brings together regional and Kashmiri-language films alongside international productions from multiple continents, with several venues prepared to host screenings across the four-day event.
Speaking about the significance of the festival, industry voices said the event is helping bridge a gap that had developed between Kashmir and the wider world of cinema over the years. Local artists welcomed the initiative as an opportunity to reconnect the Valley’s storytelling traditions with a global audience, describing it as a meaningful step towards reviving interest in film production in the region.
A Platform for Both Local and Global Talent
The inaugural festival is showcasing Indian and international cinema while providing a platform for filmmakers, artists and local talent, alongside promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage, cuisine and tourism potential. Rather than simply serving as a showcase for outside productions, organisers said the event is designed to give homegrown filmmakers and artists an opportunity to present their work before a wider audience of delegates, critics and industry professionals.
Venues and Format
Screenings and events are being held across the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and INOX Multiplex in Srinagar, along with venues in Jammu and Gulmarg. Organised under the theme “Rang-e-Cinema,” the festival’s programme includes international competition sections, Indian and regional cinema, and documentary and hybrid filmmaking categories spread over the four-day run.
Star Power and Official Backing
The opening drew considerable star power, with actors and filmmakers attending alongside senior directors from the industry, reflecting the scale of participation the festival has attracted for its debut edition. The inaugural ceremony at SKICC saw attendance from senior government officials, underlining the level of institutional support behind the event.
A Bigger Vision for the Region
Beyond the screenings, officials have framed the festival as part of a broader push to position Jammu and Kashmir as a destination not just for film shoots, but as an active participant in global cinematic conversations — spanning culture, cuisine, tourism and creative exchange. With its first edition now underway, the festival is expected to serve as a benchmark for future annual editions, as organisers look to establish Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg as recurring stops on the festival circuit for filmmakers from India and abroad.
