Srinagar, September 7: Jammu and Kashmir has entered a new chapter in its cultural and cinematic journey with the beginning of the first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 in Srinagar today. The four-day festival will continue from September 7 to 10, bringing together filmmakers, actors, artists, cinema professionals and film enthusiasts from India and abroad.

Organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Jammu & Kashmir, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the festival is being held under the theme “Rang-e-Cinema.” It aims to promote artistic excellence, cinematic innovation, cultural exchange and Jammu & Kashmir as a major destination for filmmaking and film tourism.

135 Films from 41 Countries

The inaugural edition features 135 films representing 41 countries, selected from around 1,100 film submissions received from 92 countries.

India has the largest representation with 64 films, followed by France with 13 and Iran with 8. Argentina and Spain have four films each, while Brazil, Germany, Russia and the United States have three films each. Films from South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Qatar, Colombia, Türkiye and several other countries are also part of the international line-up.

The programme includes international competition and curated selections covering feature films, documentaries, short films and regional cinema, with dedicated sections including Bharat Panorama and J&K Select.

Major Festival Venues

The main events are being hosted at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, with screenings and activities also planned at INOX Multiplex Srinagar, Movie Time Cinemas KC Central Jammu and the Gulmarg Convention Centre.

A major attraction is the planned floating cinema on Dal Lake, where audiences can watch films against the backdrop of the lake, shikaras and the Zabarwan mountains. Iconic Bollywood films shot in Kashmir, including Kashmir Ki Kali, Kabhi Kabhie, Arzoo and Junglee, are scheduled to be screened as part of the floating cinema experience.

Gulmarg will also host festival activities, while the Jammu leg will extend the festival’s reach beyond the Valley.

₹96 Lakh Prize Purse

The festival carries a total cash prize purse of ₹96 lakh across nine award categories.

The awards include:

- Best Film — ₹25 lakh

- Best Director — ₹15 lakh

- Best Debut Film of a Director — ₹15 lakh

- Best Film – J&K Select — ₹10 lakh

- Best Actor (Male) — ₹8 lakh

- Best Actor (Female) — ₹8 lakh

- Best Cinematography — ₹5 lakh

- Best Sound Design — ₹5 lakh

- Best Editing — ₹5 lakh

The Best Film – J&K Select award has been specially introduced to recognise cinematic works connected with Jammu & Kashmir and its cultural, social and artistic landscape.

Star-Studded Jury and Guests

The inaugural festival has brought together an eminent jury comprising acclaimed cinema professionals including Santosh Sivan, Dorothee Wenner, Keiko Bang, Sriram Raghavan and Himansu Sekhar Khatua. The jury will evaluate entries in the competitive sections.

Renowned filmmakers Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Ramesh Sippy are attending the festival as special guests. Other prominent cinema personalities are also expected to participate in screenings, discussions and industry sessions.

Masterclasses and Industry Interaction

Beyond film screenings, IFFJK 2026 features masterclasses, panel discussions and industry interactions designed to give aspiring filmmakers, students and cinema enthusiasts an opportunity to learn directly from established professionals.

The masterclass programme includes sessions involving filmmakers and cinema professionals such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra, editor Namrata Rao, sound designer Baylon Fonseca, Chitranjan Tripathi of the National School of Drama, Supriyo Sen and cinematographer Anil Mehta. A Canon workshop on camera equipment and filmmaking technology is also planned.

Music and Cultural Programme

Cinema will be accompanied by a strong cultural programme showcasing Jammu & Kashmir’s artistic heritage.

The opening programme features musical performances by Jaan Nissar Lone, Rani Hazarika and Palak Muchhal. Bollywood singer Sunidhi Chauhan is scheduled to participate in a conversation with festival delegates, while veteran singer Usha Uthup is set to lead the closing ceremony.

A New Platform for J&K Cinema

The festival is being positioned as more than a film-screening event. Organisers aim to establish IFFJK as an annual international cultural and cinematic platform, encourage filmmaking in Jammu & Kashmir, provide opportunities for local creative talent and attract national and international filmmakers to the region.

The festival also seeks to reconnect Jammu & Kashmir with its long association with Indian cinema and promote the Union Territory as a destination for film production, tourism, cultural exchange and creative industries.

With its combination of international cinema, regional storytelling, masterclasses, cultural performances and the unique floating cinema on Dal Lake, the maiden IFFJK 2026 marks a significant milestone for Jammu & Kashmir and places the region on the global cinematic map.