SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that bringing film shoots back to the Valley can create new employment opportunities for local youth and give a boost to the region’s economy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, Omar said the government was working to remind the film industry of Kashmir’s long-standing association with cinema.
“We are trying to bring film shoots back to Kashmir. It will generate local employment and give a boost to the economy,” the Chief Minister said.
Omar said the government was also seeking to remind filmmakers that Kashmir had been a popular shooting destination long before Switzerland and other foreign locations emerged as preferred destinations for Indian cinema.
Under the comprehensive J&K Film Policy, he said, the government had sought to make Jammu and Kashmir a filmmaker-friendly destination by offering financial subsidies linked to shooting days and local expenditure.
The policy also provides for single-window clearances through a dedicated online portal for location approvals and security permissions, besides additional incentives for productions that engage local artists, technicians and crew members.
“We are treating cinema not merely as entertainment but as an official industry—one that generates employment, nurtures young talent and brings global cultures together,” Omar said.
He said the government was working towards building a robust local workforce of cinematographers, line producers, sound engineers and actors, while also investing in post-production facilities, equipment banks, studios and film education institutes.
The Chief Minister urged filmmakers to make greater use of local talent and showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural and natural heritage in their productions.
“Tell your fellow filmmakers that Jammu and Kashmir is open, safe, vibrant and eager to welcome your crews,” he told national and international delegates attending the festival.
The three-day IFFJK, supported by the J&K Government and the Department of Information and Public Relations, features 135 shortlisted films and concludes on September 10. (GNS)
