Srinagar, Sep 05 (KNO): A film fever is set to sweep across Kashmir from Monday, with the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 bringing 135 films from over 40 countries to the Union Territory from September 7 to 10 under the theme ‘Rang-e-Cinema’, as J&K seeks to revive its cinematic legacy and emerge as a destination for filmmaking and cultural exchange.
Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of J&K, the four-day festival aims to revive the region’s cinematic legacy, promote local talent and build a sustainable film economy.
Joint Director DIPR Shahnawaz Bukhari, speaking to reporters, said the festival was a well-intentioned effort to strengthen the natural connection between Bollywood and Kashmir and revive film tourism in the region.
“The connection between Bollywood and Kashmir is a natural one and should be strengthened. The rise of Bollywood coincided with a time when films were extensively shot in J&K, but due to unfortunate circumstances, that activity declined. We are now trying to promote film tourism here,” he said, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Bukhari said the government intends to institutionalise the festival as an annual event and use it as a platform to bring filmmakers, industry professionals, academicians and students together.
“Our attempt is to bring Kashmir back into the frame. We would like J&K to become the film frame, rather than merely being a backdrop for films,” Bukhari said.
He said around 1,100 films from 92 countries were received for the festival, while the preview committee selected 135 films representing more than 40 countries for screening.
“The response has been encouraging. We received around 1,100 films from 92 countries, and the preview committee has shortlisted 135 films representing more than 40 countries,” he said.
Bukhari said the festival would also provide local students and aspiring filmmakers an opportunity to interact with established names from the industry through masterclasses and panel discussions.
“We want to connect the tourism potential of J&K with cinema and give our students and local talent an opportunity to engage directly with leading names from the industry,” he said.
The Joint Director added that the government hoped to institutionalise the festival on the lines of major international film festivals. “Our attempt is to institutionalise this film festival every year, like the Cannes Film Festival in Europe. If we make sustained efforts, I am confident we can bring that kind of festival culture to India,” Bukhari said.
Notably, the festival programme includes screenings, masterclasses, workshops, in-conversation sessions, panel discussions, roundtables and cultural performances.
The major activities will be held at SKICC and INOX in Srinagar, besides a dedicated one-day programme in Gulmarg, while a floating cinema on Dal Lake is also planned as part of the festival experience.
Masterclasses by leading filmmakers and academicians will be organised at SKICC, while media professionals and professors from local universities are also expected to participate in panel discussions.
Students from universities will get an opportunity to interact with prominent filmmakers and industry professionals, providing them exposure to different aspects of cinema and filmmaking.
The festival is also expected to bring more than 300 delegates from different parts of the world to Jammu and Kashmir, creating opportunities for local professionals and emerging filmmakers to network and explore collaborations.
The festival carries a prize purse of Rs 96 lakh across nine award categories, with Best Film carrying the highest prize of Rs 25 lakh, while Best Director and Best Debut Film of a Director carry Rs 15 lakh each. The Best Film—J&K Select award carries a prize of Rs 10 lakh.
The selected films will be presented across categories including International Panorama, Bharat Panorama, Cinema of the World, Documentary, Hybrid Documentary and J&K Select.
Gulmarg, Dal Lake to become part of festival experience
Gulmarg is also being prepared to showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism potential before visiting filmmakers and delegates.
The Gulmarg Development Authority has worked on a dedicated itinerary highlighting the resort’s scenic beauty, adventure activities, hospitality, local culture and tourism infrastructure.
Special attention is being paid to branding and beautification along the Narbal-Gulmarg stretch, besides sanitation, cleanliness, healthcare and emergency response arrangements.
The administration has also inspected Dal Lake to assess its cleaning and aesthetic presentation ahead of the arrival of filmmakers and guests.
The festival is intended to use cinema as a vehicle to showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s landscapes, cultural heritage, handicrafts, tourism potential and creative talent before a national and international audience—(KNO)