Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is set to make its entry onto the global cinema stage with the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026, which will feature 135 films from 41 countries, a ₹96 lakh prize purse across nine award categories, and a distinguished international jury comprising some of the most respected names in world cinema.
The announcements were made on Thursday as Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reviewed the final preparations for the four-day festival, scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 at SKICC Srinagar, Gulmarg and Jammu.
The festival, being organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), is being positioned as a major international platform for cinema, creativity, cultural exchange and tourism promotion in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, Dulloo directed all departments and agencies to work in close coordination to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for filmmakers, artists, delegates and audiences.
He stressed that the success of the inaugural edition would depend on timely execution, professional management and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders. The Chief Secretary also asked NFDC to make special efforts to bring a larger number of acclaimed filmmakers, actors and other prominent personalities from the film fraternity to the festival.
The meeting reviewed arrangements related to venues, hospitality, protocol, transportation, security, cultural programming, publicity strategy and departmental responsibilities.
Giving a detailed presentation, Director Information and Public Relations Shreya Singhal said the inaugural edition would showcase 135 films representing 41 countries, bringing together a diverse range of cinematic traditions and storytelling styles from across the world.
According to the presentation, India leads the country-wise participation with 64 films, followed by France with 13 films and Iran with eight films. Argentina and Spain will each be represented by four films, while Brazil, Germany, Russia and the United States will contribute three films each.
Several other countries, including South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Qatar, Colombia and Türkiye, will also be represented, giving the festival a distinctly global character.
A major attraction of the festival will be its ₹96 lakh total prize purse, one of the largest among emerging film festivals in the country.
The Best Film award carries the highest cash prize of ₹25 lakh, while Best Director and Best Debut Film of a Director will receive ₹15 lakh each.
In a special focus on regional cinema and storytelling, DIPR has instituted a Best Film – J&K Select category carrying a cash prize of ₹10 lakh to recognise films connected with Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural, social and artistic landscape.
The acting categories of Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female) carry prize money of ₹8 lakh each, while Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design and Best Editing will receive ₹5 lakh each.
Officials said the award framework has been designed to recognise excellence across creative, technical and performance-based aspects of filmmaking while encouraging both established and emerging talent.
In another major announcement, DIPR unveiled a five-member international jury that will evaluate films across the festival’s international, national and Jammu and Kashmir-focused competition categories.
The jury will be headed by celebrated cinematographer and filmmaker Santosh Sivan, a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers whose acclaimed works include The Terrorist. Sivan was honoured with the prestigious Pierre Angénieux Tribute at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024.
Joining him on the panel will be Resul Pookutty, the Oscar and BAFTA-winning sound designer known globally for Slumdog Millionaire and a recipient of the Padma Shri and National Film Award.
The jury also includes Dorothee Wenner, the German filmmaker, curator and long-time Berlin International Film Festival programmer; Keiko Bang, the Japanese filmmaker, producer and international curator known for her work in documentary filmmaking and Asian co-productions; and Himansu Sekhar Khatua, National Award-winning filmmaker and former Director of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI).
Officials said the jury’s collective expertise would ensure an independent, credible and internationally informed assessment of competing films.
Apart from film screenings, IFFJK 2026 will feature an extensive programme of masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions and interactive sessions, offering students, aspiring filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts an opportunity to engage directly with leading industry professionals.
Among those expected to participate are acclaimed filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, editor Namrata Rao, veteran sound designer Baylon Fonseca, National School of Drama representative Chittaranjan Tripathy, filmmaker Supriyo Sen and cinematographer Anil Mehta. A special workshop by Canon showcasing the latest camera equipment and filmmaking technology is also planned.
Adding a distinctive visual attraction to the festival, organisers are installing a floating screen on Dal Lake near SKICC, where select screenings are proposed to be held. The initiative is expected to provide an iconic cinematic experience while showcasing Kashmir’s scenic beauty to visiting filmmakers and delegates from India and abroad.
The festival will also feature opening and closing ceremonies with performances by leading national and local artists, aimed at presenting Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage alongside contemporary artistic expression.
The meeting was informed that an extensive publicity and branding campaign is being carried out through social media, national and local media platforms and outdoor promotional activities to generate wider public engagement and build anticipation around the festival.
Dulloo underscored that the government envisions IFFJK as an annual international event and said its inaugural edition should set high standards in programming, organisation and audience engagement.
With international participation, substantial prize money, a globally recognised jury, industry-led masterclasses and unique attractions such as the Dal Lake floating screen, the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir is expected to provide the Union Territory with a significant new platform for cinema, cultural exchange, creative industries and tourism promotion.
