IFFJK 2026 Opens In Srinagar With Global Cinema, Floating Screenings And A Renewed Cultural Ambition
The inaugural edition arrives with remarkable momentum. Officials said the festival received around 1,100 submissions from 92 countries, out of which 135 films from more than 40 nations were selected
SRINAGAR: Kashmiri capital Srinagar stepped into an unusually bright cultural spotlight on Monday as the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) opened its four‑day run with an expansive slate of world cinema, distinguished guests and a clear governmental push to re‑anchor Kashmir on the global filmmaking map.
The festival, themed “Rang‑e‑Cinema,” has been organised by the J&K Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) and is being held primarily at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake and INOX Srinagar, with additional screenings in Jammu and a curated one‑day programme in Gulmarg, the Valley’s premier hill resort, that fills the air with the perfume of a thousand flowers in summer and emerges as one of Asia’s finest ski resorts in winter.
The inaugural edition arrives with remarkable momentum. Officials said the festival received around 1,100 submissions from 92 countries, out of which 135 films from more than 40 nations were selected. India leads with 64 films, followed by France and Iran. Categories span International Competition, Bharat Panorama, Cinema of the World, Documentary/Hybrid and J&K Select.
A prize purse of ₹96 lakh across nine awards positions IFFJK among India’s most ambitious new festivals. The Best Film award carries ₹25 lakh, while Best Director and Best Debut Director awards offer ₹15 lakh each. A dedicated J&K Select award of ₹10 lakh aims to boost regional storytelling.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo inaugurated the festival at INOX, calling it a chance to reconnect J&K with the global film industry and to create opportunities for local youth in direction, cinematography, acting, music and technical crafts. Local artists Bindiya Tikku and Shabbir Ahmed welcomed the platform for Kashmiri‑language and regional films, while veteran actor and producer Akbar Khan recalled Kashmir’s historic role as Bollywood’s “outdoor studio.”
The Lebanese feature Dead Dog by Sarah Francis opened the festival, followed by screenings including The Last Rites (Malaysia) and several Iranian titles.
One of the festival’s most striking attractions debuted on Day 1: a floating cinema on Dal Lake, where the 1961 classic Junglee—shot extensively in Kashmir—was screened. More vintage Kashmir‑shot films such as Arzoo, Kashmir Ki Kali and Kabhi Kabhie will follow.
The international jury is headed by celebrated cinematographer Santosh Sivan, joined by Dorothee Wenner (Berlin International Film Festival), Japanese documentary filmmaker Keiko Bang, National Award‑winning filmmaker Himansu Sekhar Khatua, and acclaimed Indian director Sriram Raghavan.
Special guests include Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Ramesh Sippy, Imtiaz Ali, Pankaj Tripathi, Santosh Sivan, Sriram Raghavan and Anil Mehta. Musical performances by Jaan Nissar Lone, Rani Hazarika and Palak Muchhal added colour to the opening celebrations. More than 300 delegates from across the world are attending. The festival features masterclasses, workshops, roundtables and in‑conversation sessions, with local university students invited to interact with industry veterans.
Joint Director DIPR Shahnawaz Bukhari said the aim is to bring Kashmir “back into the frame,” noting that Bollywood’s rise coincided with decades when films were extensively shot in the scenic region. The administration has appointed 25 liaison officers to assist delegates, and traffic restrictions were in place around SKICC due to VVIP movement.
The festival’s broader ambition is clear: to revive Kashmir’s cinematic legacy, promote film tourism, showcase local heritage, cuisine and crafts, and position the Union Territory as a regular international filming destination. Officials said the government intends to institutionalise IFFJK annually, drawing inspiration from global festivals like Cannes.
As of late afternoon on the opening day, screenings were underway and the main evening ceremony at SKICC was yet to begin. With its diverse programme, floating cinema and global participation, IFFJK 2026 signals a renewed cinematic chapter for the Himalayan region—one that blends culture, landscape and storytelling on an international stage.