SRINAGAR: The inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 will begin on Monday, with 135 films from more than 40 countries scheduled for screening during the four-day event aimed at reviving JK’s cinematic legacy and promoting the Union Territory as a destination for filmmaking and film tourism.
Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the festival will run from September 7 to 10 under the theme ‘Rang-e-Cinema’. It will bring more than 300 delegates to J&K and offer a total prize purse of Rs 96 lakh across nine award categories.
Joint Director DIPR Shahnawaz Bukhari said the festival was intended to rebuild the long-standing association between the film industry and Kashmir and create a sustained platform for filmmakers, industry professionals, academics and students.
“The connection between Bollywood and Kashmir is a natural one and should be strengthened,” Bukhari said, adding that the government was seeking to revive film tourism in the region after film-related activity declined due to “unfortunate circumstances”.
He said the government wanted JK to become more than a location used as a backdrop for films.
“Our attempt is to bring Kashmir back into the frame. We would like JK to become the film frame, rather than merely being a backdrop for films,” Bukhari said.
According to Bukhari, about 1,100 films from 92 countries were submitted for consideration, from which a preview committee selected 135 films representing more than 40 countries.
The festival will feature screenings, masterclasses, workshops, in-conversation sessions, panel discussions, roundtables and cultural performances. Major events are scheduled at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and INOX in Srinagar, with a separate one-day programme planned in Gulmarg. A floating cinema on Dal Lake is also part of the programme.
Masterclasses involving prominent filmmakers and academicians will be held at SKICC, while media professionals and professors from local universities are expected to take part in panel discussions. University students will also have opportunities to interact with filmmakers and other industry professionals.
Bukhari said the government planned to make the festival an annual event and develop it along the lines of established international film festivals.
“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’s Rs 96 lakh prize fund will be distributed among nine categories. Best Film carries the top award of Rs 25 lakh, while Best Director and Best Debut Film of a Director carry Rs 15 lakh each. The Best Film—JK Select award carries Rs 10 lakh.
The films will be screened under categories including International Panorama, Bharat Panorama, Cinema of the World, Documentary, Hybrid Documentary and JK Select.
Gulmarg is also being incorporated into the festival programme to highlight JK’s tourism potential to visiting filmmakers and delegates. The Gulmarg Development Authority has prepared an itinerary covering the resort’s scenery, adventure activities, hospitality, local culture and tourism infrastructure.
Authorities have also focused on branding and beautification along the Narbal-Gulmarg route, along with sanitation, cleanliness, healthcare and emergency-response arrangements. The administration has inspected Dal Lake as part of preparations for the festival and the arrival of visiting guests.
The event is expected to provide networking and collaboration opportunities for local filmmakers and creative professionals while using cinema to showcase JK’s landscapes, cultural heritage, handicrafts, tourism attractions and emerging creative talent to national and international audiences.
