Srinagar, June 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026, describing the proposed event as a landmark initiative to revive the region’s cinematic legacy and position Jammu & Kashmir as a global destination for film production and creative industries.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Chief Minister discussed the festival’s vision, programming strategy, branding, digital outreach, industry partnerships and international participation. Director Information and Public Relations Shreya Singhal gave a detailed presentation on the proposed framework for the inaugural edition of the festival.
During the meeting, Omar Abdullah said the International Film Festival should evolve into a globally recognised cinematic event celebrating storytelling while showcasing Jammu & Kashmir’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, artistic traditions and emerging creative talent. He stressed the need for a professionally curated festival capable of attracting filmmakers, producers, actors and cinema enthusiasts from across the world.
The Chief Minister said the festival should not be viewed merely as a film event but as a cultural and economic platform capable of generating opportunities in tourism, investment, employment and the creative economy while restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s historic status as one of India’s preferred destinations for film production and cinematic tourism.
Emphasising the importance of strengthening the local creative ecosystem, Omar Abdullah directed that local filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, technicians, photographers, designers, artisans and craftsmen be actively integrated into the festival through exhibitions, networking opportunities and business engagements.
He also instructed organisers to facilitate structured interactions between local talent and eminent national and international filmmakers through masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, mentoring sessions and knowledge-sharing programmes. According to the Chief Minister, such engagements would provide aspiring professionals from Jammu & Kashmir with global exposure, technical expertise and industry networks.
The Chief Minister further proposed a special segment to honour distinguished actors, filmmakers, directors, producers, cinematographers, musicians and other cinema personalities who have contributed to preserving Jammu & Kashmir’s cinematic legacy through films shot in the region over the decades.
Highlighting the festival’s broader developmental potential, Omar Abdullah said it should also create opportunities for local artisans, entrepreneurs, tourism stakeholders and creative professionals, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond the film industry.
The meeting also reviewed the festival’s branding strategy, global outreach, digital engagement, venue management, promotional campaigns and institutional partnerships. According to the proposed plan, the four-day festival, scheduled for September 2026, will feature international competition, Indian cinema, documentaries, short films, student films, animation, regional cinema, industry forums, workshops and cultural programmes across multiple venues.
Officials also discussed plans to develop a dedicated digital ecosystem, including a festival website and an AI-enabled mobile application to facilitate film submissions, registrations, accreditation, scheduling, audience engagement, media outreach and real-time festival management. A global promotional campaign and collaborations with leading film institutions for festival curation, jury support, capacity building and specialised training for local youth also came up for discussion.
Reiterating his vision for the event, the Chief Minister said the International Film Festival should establish Jammu & Kashmir as a world-class destination for cinema while leveraging opportunities created under the J&K Film Policy to attract greater investment, film productions and creative enterprises. He directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination to ensure timely completion of preparations for the successful conduct of the inaugural festival.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Information R. Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary Floriculture, Parks and Gardens Zubair Ahmad, Director Information Shreya Singhal, senior officers of the Tourism and General Administration Departments, representatives of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and other officials.
