SRINAGAR: The inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 has received 875 film submissions from around 50 countries, signalling strong global interest in the Union Territory’s flagship film initiative, officials said.
The submission window for the festival will close on July 30, giving filmmakers a final opportunity to register their entries for the first edition of the event.
Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the four-day festival is scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10, 2026.
According to the organisers, the response from filmmakers in India and abroad reflects growing confidence in Jammu and Kashmir as an emerging destination for filmmaking, creative collaboration and cinematic excellence. Entries from nearly 50 countries are expected to bring a wide range of storytelling styles and artistic perspectives to the festival.
The festival programme will include screenings of selected films, masterclasses, panel discussions, interactive sessions and cultural events, providing a platform for filmmakers, industry professionals, students and cinema enthusiasts to engage and exchange ideas.
Officials said the festival aims to promote Jammu and Kashmir as a centre for cinema and cultural exchange while showcasing its heritage, landscapes and creative potential before an international audience. It also seeks to encourage artistic excellence, foster cinematic innovation and strengthen cooperation among filmmakers through the medium of cinema.
The curtain-raiser ceremony for the festival was held on July 17, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah formally launched the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir and invited filmmakers, producers, artists and cinema enthusiasts from across the world to participate in the event.
