The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is set to make its debut on the global cinematic stage with the inauguration of its first-ever International Film Festival, themed “Rang-e-Cinema” (colours of cinema). The four-day event, commencing on Monday, will primarily unfold in Srinagar, the summer capital, with additional screenings and activities planned in Jammu, Gulmarg, and the city’s sole multiplex.
This landmark festival, organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations, signifies a concerted effort to revive the region’s rich cinematic legacy and position it as a prominent destination for filmmaking and cultural exchange. As per information available with Tahir Rihat, the festival aims to showcase a diverse array of international and regional cinema, highlighting compelling local narratives alongside global productions. The initiative is expected to provide an iconic setting for film screenings, thereby showcasing the unique cultural and natural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir to visiting filmmakers, artists, and delegates from both India and abroad.
The festival has garnered significant international interest, receiving approximately 1,100 film submissions from 92 countries. A preview committee meticulously selected 135 films from these submissions for screening, representing 41 countries. This expansive lineup promises to bring together a wide spectrum of cinematic traditions, diverse storytelling formats, and a multitude of creative voices from across the globe. India leads the country-wise participation with 64 films, followed by France with 13 films and Iran with eight. Argentina and Spain are each contributing four films, while Brazil, Germany, Russia, and the United States will each present three films. A further selection of countries, including South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Qatar, Colombia, and Turkey, will also feature curated films, underscoring the festival’s distinctly global character.
A unique attraction of the festival is the introduction of a floating cinema, an open-air, aquatic cinematic experience set against the picturesque backdrop of the world-famous Dal Lake. Officials stated that this innovative setup, with a floating screen installed near the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), will offer audiences seated on shikaras a distinctive visual and experiential dimension. This novel approach is anticipated to add a memorable touch to the festival, leveraging the natural beauty of the location to enhance the viewing experience.
The festival’s commitment to fostering cinematic excellence is further demonstrated through its comprehensive award structure. The Best Film award carries a substantial prize of Rs 25 lakh, while the Best Director and Best Debut Film of a Director awards are each endowed with Rs 15 lakh. Reflecting the festival’s special focus on regional cinema, the Best Film — J&K Select category offers a prize of Rs 10 lakh. Awards for Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female) are set at Rs 8 lakh each. Technical categories, including Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, and Best Editing, will each receive Rs 5 lakh. This award structure is designed to celebrate artistic merit across various facets of filmmaking, from creative vision to technical execution.
Beyond film screenings, the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir will feature a rich program of ancillary events aimed at engaging filmmakers, students, and cinema enthusiasts. These include masterclasses, workshops, in-conversation sessions, panel discussions, and roundtables. The masterclass series, spanning three days, will offer participants direct engagement with leading professionals from the film industry. Scheduled to conduct these sessions are acclaimed film director and screenwriter Sriram Raghavan, celebrated editor Namrata Rao, veteran sound designer Baylon Fonseca, Chittranjan Tripathi from the National School of Drama, Supriyo Sen of IDPA, and Anil Mehta, among other prominent figures.
The festival is set to commence with a ceremonial opening at the INOX multiplex, where the Lebanese film “Dead Dog,” directed by Sarah Francis, will be screened. The floating cinema, meanwhile, will showcase a selection of iconic Bollywood films that were extensively shot in Kashmir, including classics such as “Junglee,” “Arzoo,” “Kashmir Ki Kali,” and “Kabhi Kabhie.” This curated selection aims to connect the present cinematic endeavors with the region’s historical association with Indian cinema.
An international jury, comprising distinguished personalities from the global film fraternity, will be responsible for evaluating the submitted entries. The five-member jury includes internationally acclaimed filmmakers, cinematographers, sound artists, and film curators. Leading the jury is acclaimed cinematographer-director Santosh Sivan. He is joined by Oscar- and BAFTA-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, German film curator Dorothee Wenner, media entrepreneur Keiko Bang, and National Award-winning filmmaker Himansu Sekhar Khatua. Their collective expertise will lend significant weight to the festival’s competitive section.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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