Srinagar, June 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a review meeting to assess preparations for the 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026, envisaged as a landmark initiative to revive the region’s cinematic legacy.
The meeting held extensive deliberations on the festival’s vision, its screening & programming strategy, branding, digital outreach, industry partnerships and international participation.
Director Information & Public Relations Shreya Singhal gave a comprehensive presentation outlining the proposed framework for the inaugural edition of the festival.
Reviewing the proposals, the CM said the International Film Festival should evolve into a globally recognized cinematic event celebrating storytelling while showcasing Jammu & Kashmir’s breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, artistic traditions and emerging creative talent.
He stressed the need to deliver a professionally curated festival of international standards capable of attracting renowned filmmakers, producers, artists and cinema enthusiasts from across the world.
He underlined that the festival must not be viewed merely as a film event but as a defining cultural and economic platform for Jammu & Kashmir. He said it should generate opportunities in tourism, investment, employment and the creative economy while reaffirming J&K’s historic place as India’s preferred destination for film production, creative pursuits and cinematic tourism.
Emphasizing the importance of nurturing the local creative ecosystem, Omar directed that local filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, technicians, photographers, designers, artisans, craftsmen and other creative professionals be meaningfully integrated with the film festival through exhibitions, facilitating networking opportunities and business engagements.
He instructed the organizers to facilitate structured interactions between local talent and eminent national and international filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and industry experts through master-class & in-conversation sessions, workshops, panel discussions, mentoring sessions and knowledge-sharing programmes.
Such engagements, he said, would provide aspiring professionals from Jammu & Kashmir with global exposure, technical expertise and industry networks while encouraging innovation and excellence in filmmaking.
The CM also called for instituting a special segment to recognize distinguished actors, filmmakers, directors, producers, cinematographers, musicians and other cinema personalities who have played a significant role in keeping Jammu & Kashmir’s cinematic legacy alive by creating memorable films in the region over the decades.
Recognizing their contribution, he said, would celebrate Kashmir’s enduring association with Indian cinema while inspiring a renewed partnership between the film industry and Jammu & Kashmir.
Highlighting the festival’s wider developmental potential, Omar said it should also create meaningful opportunities for local artisans, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, tourism stakeholders, ensuring that the benefits of the event extend well beyond the film fraternity. He directed the concerned departments to make the festival a comprehensive celebration of Jammu & Kashmir’s artistic, cultural and entrepreneurial excellence.
The proposed four-day festival, scheduled to be held in September 2026, will host screenings across multiple venues, offering an immersive experience for filmmakers, delegates and audiences.
The meeting also reviewed proposals for developing 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. Plans for an integrated social media campaign and global promotional strategy also came up for discussion.
Proposals relating to technical partnerships with premier film institutions for festival curation, jury support, capacity building and specialized training for local youth were also deliberated upon. The festival is expected to bring together eminent filmmakers, actors, producers, technicians, film critics and cultural personalities from India and abroad.