Srinagar: The inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 is set to bring together an acclaimed international jury and some of Indian cinema’s most celebrated names, with organisers announcing a distinguished panel of filmmakers, curators and cinema professionals to evaluate entries in the festival’s competitive sections.
The four-day festival, being organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), will also feature legendary filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, best known for Sholay, and noted filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the Kashmir-born director and producer behind films such as Mission Kashmir, 3 Idiots and PK, as special guests.
Organisers said all jury members will evaluate films across the festival’s competitive categories and decide the awards for the maiden edition.
The jury includes renowned cinematographer and filmmaker Santosh Sivan, internationally acclaimed German filmmaker and curator Dorothee Wenner, Japanese documentary filmmaker and media entrepreneur Keiko Bang, acclaimed Hindi filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, and National Award-winning filmmaker and former SRFTI director Himansu Sekhar Khatua.
Santosh Sivan, among India’s most decorated cinematographers and a member of both the Indian Society of Cinematographers and the American Society of Cinematographers, is known internationally for films such as The Terrorist. He was honoured with the Pierre Angénieux Tribute at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024 and has served on several prestigious international juries.
Dorothee Wenner, associated with the Berlin International Film Festival since 1990, brings extensive experience as a curator, writer and filmmaker. She has played a key role in promoting Indian, African and German cinema and has served as a founding jury member of the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Keiko Bang, founder and CEO of Bang Singapore Pte. Ltd., has produced more than 50 award-winning documentaries and worked across over 25 countries. She has served on juries and selection panels of major international documentary festivals and is recognised for promoting cross-border film collaborations.
Sriram Raghavan, regarded as one of contemporary Hindi cinema’s leading auteurs, is known for critically acclaimed thrillers including Ek Hasina Thi, Johnny Gaddaar, Badlapur and Andhadhun. His inclusion adds a strong mainstream and genre-cinema perspective to the jury panel.
Himansu Sekhar Khatua, an FTII alumnus and National Award-winning filmmaker, has directed acclaimed films including Shunya Swaropa and Ishanu. A former Director of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), he has also served on several national and international film juries.
Officials said the jury’s diverse expertise in cinematography, direction, sound design, documentary filmmaking, curation and film education reflects the festival’s ambition to establish itself as a credible international platform for cinematic excellence and cultural exchange.
The inaugural IFFJK, scheduled from September 7 to 10, is expected to host filmmakers, artists, students and cinema enthusiasts from India and abroad, marking a major step in Jammu and Kashmir’s efforts to position itself as a global destination for cinema and creative arts.
Traffic restrictions in Srinagar today for IFFJK inauguration
Traffic Police Srinagar has announced temporary traffic diversions and restrictions in the city this evening in view of the inauguration of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at SKICC.
According to SSP Traffic Srinagar Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, a large number of guests, participants and invitees are expected to attend the inaugural function, leading to heavy vehicular movement towards SKICC after 4 pm.
As per the advisory, no general traffic will be allowed on Gupkar Road from 4 pm to 7 pm. Only invitees, participants, VVIPs and officials associated with the event will be permitted to use the route during the restriction period.
Traffic from Badyari Chowk and Brein Chowk towards SKICC and Nehru Park will also remain restricted, except for hotel guests and local residents. Vehicles heading towards Nishat will be diverted via Gupkar and Hazratbal.
Similarly, traffic coming from Nishat and Harwan towards the city will be diverted through Hazratbal.
The advisory will remain in force from 4 pm to 7 pm or until completion of the inauguration ceremony.
Police said similar traffic arrangements are likely to be enforced on September 10 for the closing ceremony of the four-day film festival.
