Srinagar, September 10: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir can help create new employment opportunities for local youth by encouraging filmmakers to shoot their productions in the Valley.
Speaking on the sidelines of the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir at SKICC Srinagar, Omar said the government is working to bring film production back to Kashmir, which was once a preferred location for filmmakers.
“We are trying to bring film shoots back to Kashmir. It will generate local employment and give a boost to the economy,” the Chief Minister said.
Omar said the government has introduced a comprehensive J&K Film Policy aimed at making the Union Territory more attractive for filmmakers. The policy provides financial incentives linked to shooting days and local expenditure, along with single-window clearance for location approvals and security permissions through a dedicated online portal.
Additional incentives are available for productions that employ local artists, technicians and crew members.
The Chief Minister said the government views cinema as an industry capable of generating employment, developing local talent and promoting cultural exchange. He said efforts are also underway to build a skilled workforce of cinematographers, line producers, sound engineers and actors, besides developing post-production facilities, equipment banks, studios and film education institutions.
Omar also urged filmmakers to employ local talent and showcase Jammu and Kashmir's cultural heritage through their productions.
“Tell your fellow filmmakers that Jammu and Kashmir is open, safe, vibrant and eager to welcome your crews,” he told national and international delegates attending the festival.
The three-day festival, supported by the J&K Government and the Department of Information and Public Relations, featured 135 shortlisted films and concluded on September 10.
