JNM | Journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
Jammu & Kashmir is set to host an international film festival for the first time. Preparations have been accelerated for the four-day International Film Festival Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK-2026), scheduled for September 2026. While reviewing the preparations on Tuesday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah issued clear directives to officials, emphasizing that the event should not be limited merely to film screenings; instead, it should serve as a platform to showcase Jammu & Kashmir’s culture, art, tourism, and local creative talent on a global stage.
The meeting involved detailed discussions on various aspects, including the festival’s framework, film screenings, branding, digital promotion, international participation, and partnerships with the film industry. Sheria Singhal, Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations, presented the proposed outline of the festival to the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister noted that Jammu & Kashmir is renowned worldwide for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and creative potential. Consequently, the film festival is expected to attract filmmakers, directors, artists, and cinema enthusiasts from both within the country and abroad. He added that the event is likely to yield significant benefits for the region in terms of tourism, investment, employment, and the creative economy.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure the active participation of local filmmakers, writers, directors, artists, technicians, photographers, designers, artisans, and other creative professionals. He remarked that the festival would provide a golden opportunity for local talent to establish their identity at national and international levels.
He also suggested organizing masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, mentorship programs, and interactive sessions during the festival, enabling the region’s youth to learn directly from industry experts about new filmmaking techniques and global experiences.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister proposed honoring artists, directors, producers, musicians, and other cinematic figures who have made significant contributions to advancing Jammu & Kashmir’s film heritage over the years. The proposed four-day international film festival will be held at various venues in Srinagar in September 2026. The festival will feature an international competition, Indian cinema, documentaries, short films, student films, animation, regional cinema, an industry forum, workshops, and cultural events.
The state government believes that this event will not merely be a film festival but a significant step towards establishing a new identity for Jammu and Kashmir on the global film map. It is expected to strengthen the region’s cultural image while also providing fresh momentum to tourism and the local film industry.
