Srinagar, July 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday presided over the curtain raiser of the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), describing the event as a significant step towards restoring Kashmir’s historic relationship with cinema and positioning the Union Territory as a preferred destination for filmmakers.
The launch event, held at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, noted filmmaker and Padma Shri awardee Muzaffar Ali, filmmaker and writer Imtiaz Ali, filmmaker Sajid Ali, Director Information Shreya Singhal, senior government officials and members of the film fraternity.
Addressing the gathering, Omar Abdullah said Jammu & Kashmir once occupied a central place in Indian cinema and that the government was committed to rebuilding that connection.
“There was a time when filmmaking in Bollywood and Kashmir was synonymous. No film was considered complete unless it had at least one sequence or song shot in the Valley,” the Chief Minister said.
He said the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir aims to revive this legacy while creating opportunities for local talent, strengthening the creative economy and showcasing the region to global audiences.
“Our loss has been many other countries’ gain. Had Kashmir remained consistently open for filmmaking, many productions that went elsewhere would have continued to come here. Today, we stand at the cusp of rebuilding that relationship,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government is working to create a filmmaker-friendly ecosystem by simplifying procedures, reducing production costs and developing a skilled local workforce to support the film industry.
He also referred to filmmaker Muzaffar Ali’s long-delayed project Zooni, originally conceived in the late 1980s with actors Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, and expressed hope that the completed film would offer audiences a fresh portrayal of Kashmir.
“If what has been completed carries even a fraction of the original vision, it will showcase Kashmir in a way it has not been presented for decades,” Omar Abdullah said, adding that screening the film during the festival would significantly enhance its stature.
Expressing confidence in the future of the festival, the Chief Minister said the government envisages IFFJK evolving into an internationally recognised event, with parallel screenings in Jammu and Gulmarg in the years ahead.
“This is the first, but certainly not the last. We hope the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir will one day stand alongside the finest festivals in the country and earn recognition among the best in the world,” he said.
Omar Abdullah also welcomed the decision to keep Srinagar Airport operational during the festival period, saying it would facilitate the participation of filmmakers, artists and guests from India and abroad.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo described the occasion as historic and said it offered an opportunity to renew Jammu & Kashmir’s longstanding association with Bollywood. He added that the Union Territory possesses immense talent and that platforms such as IFFJK would help nurture emerging filmmakers.
Padma Shri awardee Muzaffar Ali recalled Kashmir’s enduring place in Indian cinema and reflected on his experiences of filming in the Valley over the years. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali praised the talent of Kashmiri youth and spoke about his own association with the region through various film projects.
Director Information Shreya Singhal said the curtain raiser marked the “homecoming of cinema” to Jammu & Kashmir and highlighted that the festival seeks to establish the Union Territory as a premier film-shooting destination.
She said nearly 400 entries from more than 25 countries have been received across various categories for screening at the festival, with submissions remaining open until July 30.
The Chief Minister also unveiled the official merchandise for the festival during the event.
The first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir is scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10, 2026. The festival is expected to bring together filmmakers, artists, industry leaders and cinema enthusiasts from across India and abroad, celebrating cinema, culture and creativity while showcasing Jammu & Kashmir’s landscapes, artistic heritage and emerging filmmaking ecosystem.
