Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
The maiden International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) began in Srinagar on Monday, bringing together Indian and international cinema in an effort to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s links with the national and global film industry.
The four-day festival, being held from September 7 to 10, has attracted significant international participation, with more than 1,100 entries from 80 countries, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said. Following a screening and selection process, 135 films have been shortlisted for presentation, including more than 60 films by foreign filmmakers.
The festival has been supported by the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).
Dulloo said the response to the inaugural edition had been encouraging, with submissions received from filmmakers across the world. He said the participation reflected the growing interest in Jammu and Kashmir as a platform for cinema and cultural exchange.
The festival aims to rebuild Jammu and Kashmir’s connection with the wider film industry and encourage filmmakers from India and abroad to explore the region as a destination for film production.
Kumar said the festival would provide an opportunity to showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s rich culture, cuisine and heritage, while highlighting its potential as a filming destination.
He also emphasised the opportunities the expanding film ecosystem could create for local youth in areas including photography, direction, technical production, acting, music and songwriting.
A Bridge Between Kashmir and Global Cinema
Local artist Bindiya Tikku described the festival as an important development for the region’s artistic community, particularly because of the diversity of cinema being screened.
She noted that the programme includes regional and Kashmiri-language films alongside international productions, including Lebanese-language cinema. With multiple venues hosting screenings, she said the festival was providing audiences with an opportunity to experience a wider range of filmmaking traditions.
Tikku said the event was helping bridge a gap that had developed between Kashmir and the wider Indian and international film community.
Actor and artist Shabbir Ahmed said the festival could help revive Bollywood’s longstanding association with Kashmir and encourage filmmakers to return to the region.
He stressed the need for meaningful participation of local artists and professionals when production teams from outside Jammu and Kashmir undertake projects in the region.
Ahmed said Jammu and Kashmir possesses considerable local talent and technical expertise that could contribute to film production, adding that greater collaboration could benefit both visiting filmmakers and local professionals.
Cinema as a Platform for Cultural Exchange
Veteran Bollywood actor Akbar Khan said film festivals could serve as important platforms for cultural exchange, bringing people and communities from different regions and countries closer through cinema.
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as a strong filming destination, Khan recalled the region’s longstanding association with Bollywood productions.
He also emphasised the importance of respecting the region’s culture, traditions and public sentiments while promoting Jammu and Kashmir as a filming location.
The inaugural IFFJK brings together Indian and international cinema while creating space for local filmmakers and artists. Beyond screenings, the festival seeks to position Jammu and Kashmir as a destination for cinema, cultural exchange, creative collaboration and film production.
With 135 films selected from a global pool of entries, the first edition marks a significant addition to the region’s cultural calendar and could provide a platform for a new generation of filmmakers, artists and cinema professionals from Jammu and Kashmir.
