New Delhi, Sept. 7 -- The ceremonial opening of the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir was held on September 7, 2026, at INOX Srinagar, launching a four-day celebration of cinema that brings filmmakers, actors, technicians, academics and film enthusiasts from India and abroad to the Union Territory.
CM Omar Abdullah inaugurated the film festival in Srinagar, opening a new chapter in J&K's rich and enduring relationship with cinema. With filmmakers from over 30 countries and more than 130 films being showcased, IFFJK brings the world of cinema to Kashmir and places Jammu & Kashmir firmly on the global creative map. The Chief Minister said the festival is a declaration of J&K's intent to emerge as a vibrant home for filmmakers, storytellers and creative talent from across the world.
To be held till September 10 under the theme 'Rang-e-Cinema', the inaugural festival features 135 films selected from international entries, including more than 60 foreign films, seeking to revive J&K's long-standing relationship with the world of cinema.
While speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said the festival was designed not only as a celebration of films but as an opportunity to rebuild Jammu and Kashmir's links with the global film industry. "As you all know, the first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir is starting today. It'll be a four-day festival from September 7 to September 10," Dulloo said at INOX.
He said the response from filmmakers had been overwhelming. "When we were inviting entries for screening in this festival, we got an overwhelming response. There were responses from 80 countries. Entries were received. Then after screening and considering the availability of time, 135 entries were shortlisted," he said.
Dulloo said the selected films include more than 60 international productions, giving audiences in Jammu and Kashmir an opportunity to experience stories and filmmaking traditions from around the world. "This is an opportunity to connect. In fact, I would say reconnect Jammu and Kashmir with the world of cinema," he said.
The festival also has a larger ambition: to bring filmmakers back to the Valley, not merely as visitors but as creators looking for locations, stories and partnerships.
Dulloo said the administration wants to invite the film industry from India and abroad to explore Jammu and Kashmir's culture, cuisine, heritage and landscapes, with the aim of making the region a prominent film shooting destination once again. The festival will also put the spotlight on local talent.
Dulloo added that Jammu and Kashmir's young people could find opportunities in several areas of the film industry, including photography, direction, technical work, acting, music and lyric writing. "So, this is a win-win situation for both cinema and Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
The festival formally opened at SKICC, Srinagar, at 6:30 pm, with the festival's first screening at INOX. The opening film was 'Dead Dog', directed by Sarah Francis of Lebanon. The film is part of the 'International Competition' section and was scheduled for a 1 pm screening at INOX Srinagar. The programme expands across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg, with screenings at SKICC, INOX Srinagar and WAVES Jammu.
The festival programme combines feature films, short films, documentaries, hybrid documentaries, special screenings and international competition entries. It also includes masterclasses, panel discussions and in-conversation sessions.
On day 2, the festival brings one of the busiest programmes, with screenings across SKICC, INOX Srinagar and WAVES Jammu. At SKICC Screen 1, the morning begins with short films including 'The Last Rites' (Malaysia), 'Sudden Rise' and 'And the God Who is Close' (Iran), 'Stone Beach' (Portugal), 'Tugas Sedih Yang Panjang' and 'The Stiff Fingers' (Indonesia) and 'Somos Agua (We Are Water)' (Mexico).
The documentary and hybrid documentary section includes 'Painted Memories', 'Ricard Dance' and 'The Scientist Who Runs at Night'. The 4 pm slot features "Arifa" in the J&K Select section, alongside films such as 'Promesse sacree', 'Room at the Farm (Khooh Waala Ghar)' and 'Ancessao'.
The evening screening at SKICC is 'In the Name of Fire', directed by Abhilash Sharma. At INOX, the international programme continues with 'Promised Sky', a France-Qatar-Tunisia production directed by Erige Sehiri. The venue will also screen special presentations of "Laila Majnu" and "Mirzapur."
At INOX Screen 2, audiences can watch international documentaries including 'To the West, in Zapata' from Cuba and 'Aboard Paban's Boat', alongside a series of French short films. The evening programme includes 'Venkya', 'Goolar Ke Phool (The Cluster Fig Flowers)' and 'Gulizar'. 'WAVES Jammu' will also host several international films.
The festival's non-screening programme brings several prominent names from Indian cinema to Srinagar. Director and screenwriter Sriram Raghavan will lead a masterclass on direction and screenplay writing titled 'The Trouble with Fairy-tale Endings'. Cinematographer and filmmaker Anil Mehta will participate in an in-conversation session on cinematography, 'Deconstructing Visual Subtext'.
Other major personalities appearing across the festival include editor and director Rabi Ranjan Maitra, actor and director Chittaranjan Tripathy and production mixer and sound designer Baylon Fonseca. The sessions are designed to give students and emerging filmmakers direct access to established professionals.
The third day's programme will focus on a stronger spotlight on J&K's own cinematic voices, with films like 'Tasrufdaar (Djinns of Kashmir)', directed by Kapil Mattoo and 'Batt Koch', directed by Siddarth Koul and Ankit Wali. The programme also features 'The Unknown Filmmaker', an India-South Korea-United States production and the international competition title 'The Slow Man and His Raft (Nadharer Bhela)' directed by Pradipta Bhattacharya. The venue will also host special screenings of 'Shape of Momo', 'Ikkis' and 'Main Vaapas Aunga'. September 9 is particularly important for the local film community because of the session 'Echoes of the Chinar: Empowering Next Generation of Storytellers'.
Filmmaker and writer Rahhat Shah Kazmi will join the conversation on the future of Jammu and Kashmir cinema. A separate panel, 'Global Partnerships in the Valley: Co-Producing Jammu and Kashmiri Cinema for the World', will examine international co-production, financing and festival-market strategies. The speakers include Kapil Mattoo, Munjal Shroff and Saba Bhat.
The final day will witness a mix of local, Indian and international cinema, with films to be screened including 'The Pissing Tale', 'Taaleem' and 'Naqsh-e-Daur (The Story of Ghulam Nabi Dhar)' and much more. A documentary titled 'The Music Shop: Symphony Of The City', will also be presented.
Films in the programme have come from countries including Lebanon, France, Tunisia, Qatar, Iran, Portugal, Indonesia, Mexico, Cuba, Belgium, Turkiye, Montenegro, Spain, Argentina, China, Poland, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and the United States.
Dulloo said Jammu and Kashmir want to establish the connection 'once again' and take it 'from strength to strength year after year'.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.