Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is set to host its maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) from September 7 to 10, bringing 135 films from over 40 countries to the Union Territory as part of an effort to revive its cinematic legacy and position the region as a hub for filmmaking, cultural exchange and film tourism.
Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the four-day festival will be held under the theme “Rang-e-Cinema” and will feature screenings, masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, roundtables and cultural performances across Srinagar and Gulmarg.
Joint Director DIPR Shahnawaz Bukhari said the festival is aimed at restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s historic association with cinema while creating opportunities for local talent and the tourism sector.
“The connection between Bollywood and Kashmir is a natural one and should be strengthened. There was a time when films were extensively shot in Jammu and Kashmir, but that declined due to various circumstances. We are now trying to promote film tourism and bring Kashmir back into the frame,” Bukhari told reporters.
He said the festival received around 1,100 film entries from 92 countries, out of which 135 films representing more than 40 countries were shortlisted for screening.
“The response has been extremely encouraging. The selected films represent diverse cinematic traditions and will provide audiences a glimpse into storytelling from different parts of the world,” he said.
According to officials, the festival is expected to attract more than 300 delegates, including filmmakers, actors, producers, critics, academicians and students. The programme includes interactions between industry professionals and aspiring filmmakers through masterclasses and discussion sessions.
Bukhari said one of the key objectives of the festival is to create a sustainable film culture in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our attempt is to institutionalise this festival as an annual event, much like major international film festivals. We want Jammu and Kashmir to emerge not merely as a backdrop for films but as a vibrant centre of filmmaking and creative exchange,” he said.
The festival carries a total prize purse of Rs 96 lakh across nine award categories. The Best Film award carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, while Best Director and Best Debut Film of a Director carry Rs 15 lakh each. The Best Film—J&K Select category will receive Rs 10 lakh.
Films selected for the festival will be screened under categories including International Panorama, Bharat Panorama, Cinema of the World, Documentary, Hybrid Documentary and J&K Select.
Most screenings and events will be hosted at SKICC and INOX Srinagar, while Gulmarg will host a dedicated day of festival activities. A floating cinema experience on Dal Lake is also planned as part of the event.
Officials said preparations have been intensified in Gulmarg and Srinagar ahead of the festival. The Gulmarg Development Authority has prepared a special itinerary for visiting delegates, highlighting the resort’s tourism offerings, hospitality, adventure activities and local culture.
Authorities have also undertaken beautification, sanitation and logistical arrangements along key routes and tourist destinations, including Dal Lake, to ensure a smooth experience for visitors.
The festival is expected to use cinema as a platform to showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, handicrafts and creative talent before a national and international audience.
25 senior officers tasked with managing delegates, dignitaries
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has intensified preparations for the Union Territory’s first International Film Festival by appointing 25 JKAS officers as liaison officers for VVIPs, dignitaries and delegates attending the four-day event scheduled from September 7 to 10.
According to Government Order No. 1483-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued on September 4 by Commissioner-Secretary, General Administration Department, M. Raju, the officers have been tasked with assisting visiting guests, facilitating coordination and ensuring that logistical and protocol-related requirements are addressed during the festival.
The appointments were made following a reference from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Jammu and Kashmir.
Among those designated as liaison officers are Khalid Jahangir, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration; Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL); Shiv Kumar Gupta, Controller, Legal Metrology; Sudarshan Kumar, Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organisation; Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar, Managing Director, SIDCO/SICOP; Arun Kumar Manhas, Director, Industries and Commerce, Jammu; Musarrat Islam, Director, Handloom and Handicrafts, Kashmir; and Vikas Sharma, Special Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department.
Other officers assigned the responsibility include Pawan Kumar Sharma, Director, Geology and Mining; Rajinder Kumar Sharma, Special Secretary, Skill Development Department; Shabir Hussain Bhat, Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority; Kapil Sharma, Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu; Pawan Kumar, Special Secretary, Labour and Employment Department; Rajinder Singh, Special Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department; Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums; and Ashish Kumar Gupta, Director, Disaster Management, J&K.
The list also comprises Ashiq Hussain Lali, Regional Director, Survey and Land Records, Srinagar; Parvez Ahmad Raina, Additional Commissioner, State Taxes (Administration and Enforcement), Kashmir; Rajnish Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Watershed Management Programme; Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing; Showkat Mahmood, Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department; Dr Zahoor Ahmad Magray, Additional Commissioner in the office of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Rakesh Kumar, Special Secretary, Estates Department; Musarrat Hashim, Administrator, Associated Hospitals Srinagar; and Mohammad Anwar Bandy, Special Secretary, School Education Department.
The government has directed all designated officers to report immediately to the Director, Information and Public Relations, Srinagar, for briefing on their duties and responsibilities during the festival.
The appointments will remain in force throughout the festival period from September 7 to 10.
