Jammu Film Festival Attracts 180 Entries from 35 Countries Ahead of 5th Edition

The fifth edition of the Jammu Film Festival (JFF) 2026 has garnered an impressive international response, receiving 180 film submissions from 35 countries well before the July 31 entry deadline. Organisers said the strong participation highlights the festival’s growing stature in the global independent film community and reinforces its position as one of North India’s leading international film festivals .

According to the organisers, the entries received so far include 130 short films, 35 documentaries and 17 feature films , showcasing a rich mix of cultures, languages and cinematic traditions from around the world. With several weeks remaining before the submission window closes, officials expect the number of entries to increase further.

The milestone fifth edition of the Jammu Film Festival is scheduled to be held on September 28 and 29, 2026, in Jammu . Jury head Kapil Mattoo said the festival continues to strengthen its role as a platform connecting Jammu with filmmakers and creative professionals from across the globe.

Mattoo noted that the quality and diversity of the submissions reflect the festival’s growing recognition within the independent filmmaking ecosystem. He said the broad international participation demonstrates increasing confidence among filmmakers in the festival’s ability to showcase meaningful and innovative cinema.

Jointly organised by Vomedh and Koshurwood Studio, the event is expected to attract filmmakers, delegates, artists and cinema enthusiasts from India and overseas. Organisers revealed that delegates from several countries, including the United States, have already expressed interest in attending the festival. Discussions are also underway with performers from Singapore for the cultural segment of the event.

Festival directors Rakesh Roshan Bhat and Rohit Bhat said the festival was established with the vision of creating a cultural institution that would connect Jammu to the world through cinema. Meanwhile, Sanjeev Kak said the festival has evolved into an important cultural bridge between Jammu and the international filmmaking community.

To ensure a fair and transparent selection process, organisers have introduced a three-tier jury system comprising screening, review and final jury panels. The final jury will be led by Kapil Mattoo and will include actors Vipin Sharma, Ashwath Bhatt and Tanvir Dar.

The organisers also highlighted that the festival’s previous editions featured several prominent personalities from the Indian film industry, underlining its steady growth and increasing significance as a cultural and cinematic platform.