SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is set to host its first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) from September 7 to 10, with the government pitching the event as a major platform to revive filmmaking in the region and promote local creative talent.
Ahead of the festival, the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on Monday organised a “Frame by Frame: The Storytellers’ Meet” at the DIPR Media Complex here, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, artists, writers and other members of the film and media fraternity.
Commissioner Secretary, Information, R Alice Vaz, who attended the interaction as chief guest, said the festival would mark a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and creative journey.
“Jammu and Kashmir has a rich and enduring association with cinema. The first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir is an important step towards building on this legacy and creating new opportunities for the film fraternity,” she said.
Vaz said suggestions and concerns raised by members of the film fraternity during the interaction would be considered while framing future policies and initiatives for the growth of the film sector in J&K.
She said the festival was being conceived not merely as a platform for film screenings but also as a space for dialogue, collaboration and cultural exchange. She invited filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and other members of the fraternity to participate in large numbers.
Director Information Shreya Singhal said IFFJK-2026 would be held across **Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg**, bringing together film professionals from India and abroad.
The festival will feature feature films, short films and documentaries from international, national and regional cinema, besides masterclasses and technical sessions on filmmaking, sound and editing, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, animation and other contemporary areas.
Singhal said the festival had received entries from more than 80 countries, reflecting growing international interest in Jammu and Kashmir as a cultural and cinematic destination.
She said one of the key objectives of IFFJK was to provide opportunities to young filmmakers and artists from J&K to interact with established industry professionals, hone their skills and build professional networks.
“We want to give our young filmmakers and artists a platform where they can learn, interact with established names and gradually emerge as leading voices themselves,” she said.
The festival is also being positioned as a means of promoting J&K as a filming and tourism destination. Vaz said the event could help showcase the region’s landscapes, culture and creative potential to audiences in India and abroad.
The department has undertaken a publicity and social media campaign for the festival and has also developed a dedicated website and application for registrations, film submissions and festival updates.
The gala opening and closing ceremonies will be held on September 7 and 10 respectively, with participation from acclaimed members of the film fraternity.
During Monday’s interaction, members of the local film and creative community welcomed the initiative but stressed the need for greater visibility and opportunities for local artists through such events.
Among those present were Padma Shri awardee and artist Mohan Singh Slathia, actor Ajay Pal Andotra, director-producer Tariq Khan, line producer Atul Duggal, artist Kusum Tickoo and Rajesh Khajuria of the Cine Association of J&K, besides senior officials of the Information, Tourism and Floriculture departments.
As part of efforts to encourage emerging talent, DIPR has also launched the IFFJK Emerging Filmmakers Competition 2026, exclusively for aspiring filmmakers from Jammu and Kashmir.
Registrations for the competition began on August 6, while the last date for submission of original short films is August 26.
The first IFFJK-2026 is aimed at promoting artistic excellence, cinematic innovation and cultural exchange while providing Jammu and Kashmir’s emerging filmmakers a platform to connect with the wider film industry.
