First International Film Festival Of J&K To Open New Cultural Chapter: Official

The first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) will open a new chapter in the Union Territory’s cultural journey, a senior government official said on Monday.

The four day festival will be held from September 7 to 10, 2026, across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg. The event is being organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Jammu and Kashmir, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

Speaking at 'Frame by Frame: The Storytellers’ Meet' in Jammu, Commissioner Secretary, Information, R Alice Vaz invited filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and others from the film industry to take part in the festival.

“The festival is envisioned not merely as a platform for film screenings but also as a space for meaningful dialogue, interaction, collaboration and cultural exchange,” Vaz said.

The festival will follow the theme “A Cinematic Confluence in the Valleys” and will feature films from India and abroad. Its programme includes an international competition, feature films, documentaries, short films and regional cinema. Sections such as J&K Select and Bharat Panorama will also showcase films linked to the region and Indian cinema.

Director Information Shreya Singhal said the festival has received entries from more than 80 countries, showing the interest in Jammu and Kashmir as a film and cultural destination.

The programme will also include masterclasses, panel discussions and technical sessions, giving filmmakers and young talent a chance to meet industry professionals and learn about new trends in cinema.

The official festival website lists venues including the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) and cinema halls in Srinagar and Jammu, along with the Gulmarg Convention Centre.

Vaz said the festival is also expected to boost film tourism by showcasing J&K’s landscapes, culture and creative talent to audiences in India and abroad.

Singhal said another key aim is to encourage young people from J&K who are already working in or hoping to enter the film industry.

The government has said the festival will help strengthen J&K’s position as a destination for filmmaking while creating more opportunities for local talent and the wider creative sector.