Srinagar:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the idea behind the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) is to rebuild the region’s historic relationship with cinema and position Jammu and Kashmir as a preferred destination for film production.
Addressing the curtain raiser event of the festival at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah said there was a time when Bollywood and Kashmir were synonymous, with filmmakers considering the Valley an essential part of their productions.
“There was a time when filmmaking in Bollywood and Kashmir was synonymous. No film was considered complete unless it had at least one sequence shot in the Valley. Even if an entire film was not shot here, at least one memorable song was,” he said.
The Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir had lost opportunities in the past due to prolonged disruptions, allowing other destinations to benefit from the decline in film production in the region.
“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.
He said the government was working towards creating a filmmaker-friendly ecosystem by simplifying procedures, reducing production costs and developing skilled manpower to support the film industry.
“We need to make it easier for filmmakers to come here, cheaper for them to shoot here, and ensure that our young people are equipped with the skills required to support filmmaking activities,” Omar Abdullah said.
The event was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Padma Shri awardee and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, filmmaker and writer Imtiaz Ali, filmmaker Sajid Ali, Director Information Shreya Singhal and senior government officials besides members of the film fraternity.
Referring to filmmaker Muzaffar Ali’s long-awaited project Zooni, the Chief Minister said the completion of the film would present Kashmir in a manner not seen for decades.
He said the film, originally conceived in the late 1980s with Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia in lead roles, could add further significance to the upcoming festival if screened during the event.
“If what has been completed carries even a fraction of the vision with which it was originally conceived, it will showcase Kashmir in a way it has not been presented for decades,” he said.
Omar Abdullah expressed confidence that IFFJK would become a permanent feature on the global film calendar and eventually gain recognition among leading international film festivals.
“This is the first, but certainly not the last. Great film festivals acquire an identity and brand of their own. We hope that, in the years ahead, the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir will stand alongside the finest festivals in the country and eventually earn recognition among the best in the world,” he said.
He also announced that the festival could later be expanded with parallel screenings in Jammu and Gulmarg.
Welcoming the decision to keep Srinagar Airport operational during the festival period, the Chief Minister said the move would ensure smooth participation of filmmakers, artists and guests from across India and abroad.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo described the curtain raiser as a historic occasion that reflected Jammu and Kashmir’s long association with Bollywood. He said the festival would provide a platform to emerging filmmakers and showcase the region’s talent.
Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali said Kashmir had occupied a special place in Indian cinema since the beginning and recalled his association with the Valley through several films.
Imtiaz Ali said Kashmiri youth possess immense talent and highlighted his own connection with Kashmir through film shoots.
Director Information Shreya Singhal said the festival would mark the “homecoming of cinema to Jammu and Kashmir” and establish the Union Territory as a major film shooting destination.
She informed that around 400 entries from more than 25 countries had already been received for screening at the festival, with submissions closing on July 30, 2026.
The Chief Minister also unveiled the merchandise of the festival during the event.
The first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir is scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10, 2026 and aims to bring together filmmakers, artists, industry leaders and cinema enthusiasts while showcasing the region’s landscapes, cultural heritage and emerging filmmaking ecosystem.
