SRINAGAR: Spanish filmmaker and producer Anna Saura Ramón has described Kashmir as a promising destination for international film productions, citing its landscapes, lakes, natural light and hospitality while calling for closer cinematic ties between India and Spain.
Speaking to reporters on the third day of the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at the SKICC in Srinagar on Wednesday, Saura said film festivals provide an important platform for filmmakers and audiences from different countries to interact and discover international cinema.
Saura, who is visiting Kashmir and India for the first time, said the Valley has considerable potential as a filming location. She highlighted its scenic surroundings, lakes and favourable natural light, and said Kashmir should be promoted as a destination for filmmakers.
She also called for greater cooperation between governments and the film industry to facilitate international productions in Kashmir, expressing hope that filmmakers and studios from abroad could eventually explore the Valley for movie projects.
On possible India-Spain collaborations, Saura said differences between the two film industries should not prevent creative partnerships. She said filmmakers from both countries could work together and indicated that there was no barrier to casting Indian actors in a potential joint production.
Praising the inaugural IFFJK, Saura described the festival as an important initiative and expressed hope that it would continue in the years ahead. She said such events help audiences discover films from different countries while creating opportunities for filmmakers to establish international connections.
Saura also spoke positively about the hospitality and atmosphere in Kashmir, describing her first visit to the region as a positive experience and expressing a desire to return.
Saura is known for her work as a producer and director, including the documentary, The Kid in the Phot. She is also associated with the artistic legacy of her late father, acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura.
