SRINAGAR, Sept 7: The first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) began in Srinagar on Monday, with filmmakers, artists and officials describing the four-day event as an important step towards reviving Jammu and Kashmir’s longstanding association with Bollywood and connecting the region with the global film industry.
The festival, being held from September 7 to 10 with the support of the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), is showcasing Indian and international cinema while promoting the region’s cultural heritage, cuisine and potential as a filming destination.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said the festival received an overwhelming response, with more than 1,100 entries from 80 countries.
“This is the first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a four-day festival from September 7 to 10. We received an overwhelming response, with entries from 80 countries and more than 1,100 submissions,” Dulloo said.
He said 135 films were shortlisted for screening, including more than 60 foreign films.
The Chief Secretary said the festival would help reconnect Jammu and Kashmir with the wider world of cinema and encourage filmmakers from India and abroad to explore the region.
He also highlighted opportunities for local youth in various fields of the film industry, including photography, direction, technical roles, acting, music and songwriting.
“This is a win-win situation for both the film industry and Jammu and Kashmir. We aim to strengthen this connection year after year,” he said.
Local artist Bindiya Tikku welcomed the initiative, calling it a significant moment for artists in the region.
She said the festival was showcasing diverse forms of cinema, including regional, Kashmiri and international-language films, providing audiences an opportunity to experience the richness of world cinema.
Tikku said the event was helping bridge a disconnect that had developed between Kashmir and the film industry, including global cinema.
Actor and artist Shabbir Ahmed also described the festival as a positive step towards reviving Bollywood’s longstanding association with Kashmir.
He said the event served as an open invitation to filmmakers to return to the region to shoot films and music videos and showcase Kashmir’s natural beauty to the world.
Ahmed stressed the need for greater participation of local artists and said Jammu and Kashmir had the talent and resources required to support outside production teams.
“If production teams come from outside, they essentially only need to bring their scripts; everything else they require can be found right here,” he said.
Veteran Bollywood actor Akbar Khan said film festivals play an important role in building cultural bridges and facilitating the exchange of culture, history and civilisation.
He described Jammu and Kashmir as an ideal filming destination and recalled the period when Bollywood production teams were frequently seen across the region.
“About 15 to 20 years ago, you could see Bollywood production teams in every corner of the region. It essentially served as a massive outdoor studio for the industry for many years,” Khan said.
Khan, however, emphasised that the region’s culture, traditions and sentiments must be respected and preserved.
He said Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage and the aspirations of its youth should remain central to efforts to strengthen its relationship with the film industry.
The inaugural IFFJK is bringing together filmmakers, artists and cinema enthusiasts from India and abroad, while providing a platform for local talent and promoting Jammu and Kashmir as a destination for filmmaking, tourism and cultural engagement.
