J&K's first ever Intl film festival begins

We want to reconnect J&K with world of cinema: CS

September 08, 2026 | Shugufta Rashid

Srinagar, Sept 7: The first ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir began in Srinagar on Monday.

The 4-day festival, being held from September 7 to 10, has been supported by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo inaugurated the four-day film festival.
He said the international participation would add diversity and a global character to the festival while providing local filmmakers and artists an opportunity to gain exposure to world cinema, its trends and techniques.
The festival received an overwhelming response, with more than 1,100 entries from 80 countries.
Duloo said after a careful screening process and considering the time available, 135 entries were shortlisted for display over these four days. “These include more than 60 foreign films”.
India accounts for the largest share with 64 films, followed by France with 13 and Iran with eight. Argentina and Spain have four films each. Brazil, Germany, Russia and the United States have three each. Films from countries including Türkiye, South Korea, Sweden, Qatar and Colombia will also feature in the programme.
The CS said the festival aims to reconnect Jammu and Kashmir with the global world of cinema and invite filmmakers to explore the region.
“This festival is a chance to reconnect Jammu & Kashmir with the global world of cinema. We invite the film industry, both from India and abroad, to explore our culture, cuisine, and heritage, and to once again establish Jammu & Kashmir as a premier filming destination,” he said.
He said the festival would also create opportunities for local youth in different fields of cinema.
“It also provides numerous opportunities for our talented and ambitious youth in various fields of cinema, including photography, direction, technical roles, acting, music, and songwriting. This is a win-win situation for both the film industry and Jammu & Kashmir. We aim to strengthen this connection year after year,” he said.
Local actor and artist Shabbir Ahmed described the festival as a positive step towards reviving Bollywood’s longstanding association with Kashmir.
“My impression is that this is a very positive and welcome step. For decades, Bollywood has shared a deep connection with Kashmir, and this festival is a revival of that bond. It serves as an open invitation. For the upcoming autumn season, this is an invitation for filmmakers to come and shoot their music videos and movies, allowing them to showcase the authentic beauty of Kashmir to the world,” Ahmed said.
He also stressed the need to ensure greater involvement of local artists.
“It is also an excellent opportunity for those involved in our local film industry. However, it’s important for the government to implement a strategy that makes local artists feel this festival is happening right in their own community,” he said.
On bringing back the era when Bollywood films were regularly shot in Kashmir, Ahmed said, “That’s true, and that is a key objective. If we present ourselves as welcoming hosts, it will show future visitors that the people of Kashmir not only appreciate and understand cinema but also have the skills to create and deliver high-quality films.”
Asked whether local artists would be involved, Ahmed said, “Absolutely, they will. If production teams come from outside, they essentially only need to bring their scripts; everything else they require can be found right here.”
Veteran Bollywood actor Akbar Khan also highlighted the importance of film festivals in building cultural bridges and praised Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as a filming destination.
“I want to emphasise that film festivals are cultural events that build bridges between nations, allowing for the exchange of culture, history, and civilisation. I believe there is no other place in our country as beautiful or as perfect for filming as Jammu & Kashmir,” Khan said.
The inaugural festival is showcasing Indian and international cinema while providing a platform for filmmakers, artists and local talent and promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage, cuisine and tourism potential.
The festival opened with the Lebanese film “Dead Dog,” directed by Sarah Francis. The film is part of the International Competition section and was screened at INOX Srinagar.
The festival programme combines feature films, short films, documentaries, hybrid documentaries, special screenings and international competition entries. It also includes masterclasses, panel discussions and in-conversation sessions.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has made elaborate security and official arrangements to host the festival and the visitors associated with the festival visiting the UT during these four days.
Among the prominent cinema personalities associated with the festival are Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Ramesh Sippy, Imtiaz Ali and Pankaj Tripathi, besides actors including Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sadia Khateeb, Vedang Raina and others.
The festival is being projected as an effort to revive Jammu and Kashmir’s longstanding connection with cinema and promote the region as a destination for filmmaking, cultural exchange and film tourism.

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