Jammu: The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on Monday organised “Frame by Frame: The Storytellers’ Meet” at the DIPR Media Complex in Jammu as a precursor to the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026.
Commissioner Secretary Information R. Alice Vaz interacted with filmmakers, actors, producers, artists and other stakeholders from the film and media fraternity, describing the upcoming festival as a landmark initiative aimed at opening a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and creative journey.
She said the festival would build on the region’s long association with cinema and create new opportunities for filmmakers and creative professionals. Vaz assured participants that suggestions put forward by members of the film fraternity would be considered while framing future policies and initiatives for the sector.
Calling upon filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and artists to participate in large numbers, she said the festival is envisioned not only as a platform for film screenings but also as a space for dialogue, collaboration and cultural exchange.
Vaz also highlighted the festival’s potential in promoting Jammu and Kashmir as a preferred destination for filmmaking and tourism, saying it would showcase the region’s landscapes, culture and creative talent to national and international audiences.
Director Information Shreya Singhal said the first IFFJK marks a significant moment for Jammu and Kashmir, which has historically shared a close association with cinema. She said the festival would be held from September 7 to 10 across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg, bringing together actors, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers and other professionals from India and abroad.
She said the festival aims to revive filmmaking in the region, establish Jammu and Kashmir as a premier film destination and provide local talent with opportunities to interact with industry professionals, learn new skills and build networks.
Singhal informed that the maiden edition has already received entries from more than 80 countries, reflecting growing global interest in Jammu and Kashmir as a cultural and cinematic destination.
She said the festival will feature screenings of feature films, documentaries and short films from international, national and regional cinema, along with masterclasses and technical sessions on filmmaking, sound, editing, animation, artificial intelligence and other emerging areas.
The Director Information said DIPR has launched an extensive publicity campaign and developed a dedicated website and mobile application to facilitate registrations, film submissions and festival updates. She added that the opening and closing ceremonies will be held on September 7 and 10, respectively, with participation of prominent members of the film fraternity.
During the interaction, filmmakers, artists and media professionals welcomed the initiative and stressed the need to provide greater exposure and opportunities to local talent through such events.
The first IFFJK-2026 is scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 with the objective of promoting artistic excellence, cinematic innovation and cultural exchange while encouraging appreciation of world cinema.
DIPR has also announced the IFFJK Emerging Filmmakers Competition 2026, open exclusively to aspiring filmmakers from Jammu and Kashmir. The competition aims to provide a platform for young storytellers to showcase their creativity and filmmaking skills through original short films. Registrations opened on August 6 and the last date for submissions is August 26.
