Srinagar, July 25 -- Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali on Friday called Kashmir "the jewel in the crown of the country" and urged local filmmakers to think beyond regional boundaries, saying cinema emerging from the Valley should aspire to international standards.

Speaking on the sidelines of International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026, Ali said Kashmir possesses immense cinematic potential that is yet to be fully explored. He also welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir government's efforts to make the region more filmmaker-friendly by simplifying the shooting process.

"Kashmir is the jewel in the crown of the country. Kashmir is a place of the highest beauty and the highest talent. Kashmiris should remember that they should always bring abo...