SRINAGAR — A film festival is set to take centre stage in Jammu and Kashmir from Monday as the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 brings 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 J&K, the four-day festival is being held under the theme “Rang-e-Cinema” and aims to revive the region’s cinematic legacy, promote local talent and build a sustainable film economy.
Joint Director DIPR Shahnawaz Bukhari said the festival was intended to strengthen the longstanding connection between Bollywood and Kashmir and promote film tourism in the region.
“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 news agency KNO.
Bukhari said the government intends to institutionalise the festival as an annual event and use it as a platform to bring 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.
According to Bukhari, around 1,100 films from 92 countries were received for the festival, after which a preview committee shortlisted 135 films representing more than 40 countries for screening.
“The response has been encouraging. We received around 1,100 films from 92 countries, and the preview committee has shortlisted 135 films representing more than 40 countries,” he said.
The festival programme includes film screenings, masterclasses, workshops, in-conversation sessions, panel discussions, roundtables and cultural performances.
Major activities are scheduled at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) and INOX in Srinagar, along with a dedicated one-day programme in Gulmarg. A floating cinema on Dal Lake is also planned as part of the festival.
Masterclasses by filmmakers and academicians will be organised at SKICC, while media professionals and professors from local universities are expected to participate in panel discussions.
Students from universities will also have opportunities to interact with filmmakers and industry professionals through the festival’s various sessions.
The festival is expected to bring more than 300 delegates from different parts of the world to Jammu and Kashmir, creating opportunities for local professionals and emerging filmmakers to network and explore collaborations.
The festival has a prize purse of ₹96 lakh across nine award categories. Best Film carries the highest prize of ₹25 lakh, while Best Director and Best Debut Film of a Director carry ₹15 lakh each. The Best Film — J&K Select award carries a prize of ₹10 lakh.
Selected films will be presented across categories including International Panorama, Bharat Panorama, Cinema of the World, Documentary, Hybrid Documentary and J&K Select.
Gulmarg, Dal Lake part of festival programme
Gulmarg is also being prepared as part of the festival programme 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.
The administration is also focusing on branding and beautification along the Narbal-Gulmarg stretch, besides sanitation, cleanliness, healthcare and emergency response arrangements.
Officials have also inspected Dal Lake to assess its cleanliness and aesthetic presentation ahead of the arrival of filmmakers and guests.
The festival is intended 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.
Follow Us
The Kashmir Pulse is now on Google News. Subscribe our Telegram channel and Follow our WhatsApp channel for timely news updates!
