Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) should serve as a platform for cultural exchange, creative collaboration and wider opportunities for filmmakers, while showcasing the rich heritage and cinematic potential of Jammu and Kashmir to audiences across the country and abroad.
He made the remarks while chairing a high-level meeting to review final preparations for the inaugural four-day festival, scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 across Srinagar and Jammu.
The festival is being envisioned as a premier international platform celebrating cinematic excellence, cultural exchange and emerging filmmaking talent, besides providing opportunities for collaboration with the global film fraternity.
Commissioner Secretary Information R Alice Vaz briefed the Chief Minister on the festival programme, which will feature screenings under International Competition, Cinema of the World, Bharat Panorama, J&K Select, Best Debut Film, Documentary/Hybrid and Short Films categories.
The programme will also include masterclasses, panel discussions, in-conversation sessions, round tables and workshops involving filmmakers, actors, critics, scholars and other prominent personalities from the film industry.
The meeting reviewed preparations at the principal festival venues, including Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), INOX Shivpora Srinagar and Waves Cinema Jammu, besides the proposed floating cinema at Lalit Ghat.
Arrangements for a Gulmarg excursion for a select group of filmmakers were also discussed. The itinerary will include visits to the Gondola, Golf Course, Gulmarg Club and other prominent attractions.
The Chief Minister directed all concerned departments and agencies to ensure close inter-departmental coordination and complete every arrangement well before the festival begins.
He called for prominently showcasing Jammu and Kashmir’s rich heritage, cuisine, handicrafts, traditional art forms and iconic tourist destinations during the festival.
Omar stressed that meticulous planning and seamless coordination among all stakeholders would be essential to establish IFFJK as a premier annual event on the global film calendar.
The meeting also took stock of security and traffic arrangements, airport facilitation, hospitality and protocol, accommodation, transportation, medical facilities, power supply, sanitation, beautification and venue preparedness.
Dedicated liaison and nodal officers are being put in place to facilitate coordination with the Information Department and visiting filmmakers, artists, delegates and guests.
The Information Department was tasked with maintaining a consolidated action matrix covering departmental responsibilities, timelines, progress and pending issues. It will also coordinate invitations, participant facilitation and media arrangements.
Extensive publicity and branding of IFFJK at regional and national levels through print, electronic, digital and outdoor media were also discussed.
Platform for local filmmakers and emerging talent
The festival is expected to bring together filmmakers, artists, storytellers, industry leaders, policymakers, academicians, students and audiences from across India and abroad, creating opportunities for dialogue, networking and collaboration through cinema.
The Chief Minister stressed that IFFJK should emerge as a flagship international event that showcases Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural richness and creative potential, while creating meaningful opportunities and a wider platform for local filmmakers and emerging talent.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, ACS Finance, ACS Tourism, Commissioner Secretary Information, Secretary Education, Secretary Culture, Secretary Transport, Secretary Hospitality & Protocol, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone, IGP Security, Director Information, heads of departments and senior officers of concerned departments and agencies.
The officers briefed the Chief Minister on the status of preparations and the action being taken to ensure the successful conduct of the festival. Officers from outside Srinagar participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
