Kashmir’s first ever international film festival attracts 875 submissions from 50 countries

Buoyed by the improvement in security situation in Kashmir, the J&K government is bracing up to host the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir-2026 (IFFJK) and already recorded 875 film submissions from around 50 countries so far.

“The diversity of submissions received from around 50 countries will enrich the festival with a wide spectrum of storytelling traditions, artistic perspectives and innovative filmmaking. There is growing international interest in the J&K government’s flagship cinematic initiative,” said a government spokesperson.

The festival is being organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) of the J&K government in collaboration with National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). It will be held from September 7 to 10.

The festival aims to establish Jammu & Kashmir as a vibrant destination for cinema, creativity and cultural exchange while providing a prestigious platform for filmmakers from across the world to showcase their work, said the spokesperson.

“The encouraging response from both national and international filmmakers underscores the growing confidence in Jammu & Kashmir as an emerging hub for film production, cinematic excellence and creative collaboration,” said the spokesperson.

The four-day festival will feature screenings of selected films, interactive sessions, masterclasses, panel discussions and cultural engagements, offering opportunities for filmmakers, industry experts, students and cinema lovers to exchange ideas and explore new avenues of collaboration.

Officials said the IFFJK was a significant step towards “promoting artistic excellence, strengthening cultural dialogue and showcasing the rich heritage, scenic grandeur and creative potential of Jammu & Kashmir before a global audience”.

“It will also enrich the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations within the context of their social and cultural ethos, besides promoting friendship and cooperation among the people of the world through the medium of cinema,” said the officials.

This is the second major measure in J&K to attract filmmakers. Earlier, the government set up the Kashmir Film Development Council (JKFDC), “to provide a single window mechanism to film producers to shoot in Kashmir online”. It incentivised and boosted domestic and international film production in J&K.

Kashmir, which had a strict permit system for Bollywood till 1950s, was first opened up to the Bollywood during the reign of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, who served as J&K’s last Prime Minister and then Chief Minister from 1953 to 1964.