The second day of the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 witnessed a series of film screenings and interactive sessions with prominent filmmakers and members of the industry at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here on Tuesday.
Several films, including ‘The Last Rites’, ‘Sudden Rise’, ‘The God Who Is Close’, ‘Arifa’, ‘Stone Beach’ and ‘In the Name of Fire’, were screened for film enthusiasts and delegates as part of the festival programme.
The day also featured an interaction session with filmmaker Sriram Raghavan and cinematographer Anil Mehta, who engaged with movie buffs and students and discussed various aspects of filmmaking, cinema and the craft of visual storytelling.
Members of the film industry, including filmmakers Rahat Kazmi and Kapil Mattoo and actor Mir Sarwar, were also present at the venue. They interacted with media persons and spoke about the significance of holding a major international film festival in Jammu and Kashmir.
The festival venues witnessed a strong turnout of visitors, film lovers, delegates and students, reflecting the growing interest in cinema and the festival’s programme.
A student who attended the session said the interaction with experienced filmmakers offered a valuable opportunity to understand the nuances of filmmaking and gain insights directly from professionals in the industry.
“The festival has given students like us an opportunity to interact with people we usually see only on screen. Listening to their experiences and understanding their approach to filmmaking was a great learning experience,” the student said.
Screenings and other festival activities are being held at multiple venues, including SKICC and INOX in Srinagar, besides venues in Gulmarg and Jammu.
The four-day festival was inaugurated on Monday by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and will conclude on September 10.
According to the organisers, the festival received an overwhelming response from filmmakers across the world, with more than 1,100 film entries received from 80 countries. A total of 135 films are being showcased during the festival.
The IFFJK has brought together filmmakers, actors, directors, cinematographers, technicians and other professionals from India and abroad, providing a platform for showcasing diverse cinematic works and facilitating interaction between filmmakers, students and audiences.
The festival is also aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s connection with the global film industry and promoting the region as a destination for film production and tourism.
