Srinagar, September 7: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday inaugurated the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK-2026) at INOX Srinagar, marking the beginning of a four-day celebration of cinema, culture and creative exchange.
The festival, being organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), will run from September 7 to 10 under the theme “Rang-e-Cinema.” It seeks to position Jammu and Kashmir as an international destination for filmmaking, cultural exchange and film tourism.
The inaugural edition features 135 films from 41 countries, selected from more than 1,100 submissions received from nearly 80 countries. The films include feature-length productions, documentaries, short films and regional cinema.
Screenings and festival programmes are being held at venues including the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and INOX in Srinagar, Movie Time Cinemas KC Central in Jammu and the Gulmarg Convention Centre.
The festival includes international competition sections as well as curated showcases such as J&K Select and Bharat Panorama. Besides film screenings, the programme features discussions, masterclasses, exhibitions and interactions with filmmakers and film professionals.
Officials said the festival is aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s historic association with the film industry while providing a platform for local filmmakers and artists to connect with national and international cinema professionals.
The event also seeks to promote the region’s tourism potential, handicrafts, cuisine, music and cultural heritage among visiting filmmakers, delegates and audiences.
The administration had earlier directed departments to ensure coordinated arrangements for the visiting filmmakers, artists and delegates. It has also appointed liaison officers to facilitate visiting dignitaries and participants during the festival.
The inaugural festival comes as the administration seeks to revive Jammu and Kashmir’s longstanding relationship with the Indian film industry, which has historically used the Valley’s landscapes as a backdrop for numerous films.
The festival will conclude on September 10.
