Srinagar: The maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK-2026) will be held from September 7 to 10, with around 1,100 film entries from nearly 80 countries received for the four-day event, officials said on Wednesday.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reviewed preparations for the festival at a meeting with senior officers of the civil administration and police and directed departments to complete arrangements well in advance.
The film entries are currently being scrutinised by a Preview Committee for selection of films to be screened across seven screens during the festival, the meeting was informed.
Screenings are proposed at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and INOX Cinemas in Srinagar, Waves Cinema in Jammu and at select venues in Gulmarg. The inaugural, closing and award ceremonies are proposed to be held at SKICC, with live broadcasting planned.
The festival will also feature masterclasses, workshops and roundtable discussions involving filmmakers, industry professionals, artists, students and other stakeholders, including students of mass communication.
Dulloo directed the departments concerned to review the entire festival process in advance, from the arrival of guests and participants to the conclusion of the event, to identify gaps and ensure coordination.
He directed the General Administration Department to designate nodal officers at major boarding airports, including Mumbai and Delhi, besides ensuring reception and facilitation at the airports in Jammu and Srinagar.
The Chief Secretary also directed the Tourism, Handicrafts, Floriculture and Culture departments to prepare activities showcasing J&K’s heritage, crafts, landscapes and artistic traditions. These would include curated tours, craft safaris and heritage experiences for visiting guests.
He called for timely invitations to dignitaries from the Government of India, the Union Territory administration and other guests and reviewed arrangements for their accommodation, transportation, hospitality and visits to tourist and heritage destinations around Jammu and Srinagar.
Dulloo also directed the Information Department to undertake publicity through local and national media, social media and outdoor publicity in Jammu and Srinagar. The J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages was asked to organise live cultural performances by local artists at locations identified by the divisional administrations.
He directed the Home Department to ensure adequate security arrangements and coordination with all security agencies. The Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir were asked to conduct a micro-level review of arrangements and ensure coordination among departments and agencies.
Commissioner Secretary, Information, R. Alice Vaz, briefed the meeting on preparations and the responsibilities assigned to different departments. Director, Information and Public Relations, Shreya Singhal, presented the proposed format, covering the festival schedule, film screenings, venues, logistics, hospitality and publicity.
The meeting was also informed that committees with defined terms of reference have been constituted for different aspects of the festival. A dedicated IFFJK application has also been developed to facilitate registrations and provide real-time updates.
The meeting reviewed arrangements relating to publicity, invitations, transportation, traffic management, security, hospitality and protocol, with the concerned departments directed to complete their respective preparations ahead of the festival.
