J&K to host first International Film Festival in September; DIPR, NFDC to collaborate for landmark event

Srinagar, Jun 03: Jammu and Kashmir is set to host its first International Film Festival from September 7 to 11, 2026, with the main events scheduled at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar alongside programmes at other prominent locations across the Union Territory.

The maiden International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) will be organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Jammu and Kashmir, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

The festival has been conceived as a major initiative to project Jammu and Kashmir as a leading destination for cinema, tourism and creative industries. Authorities said the event will serve as a platform for cinematic exchange while also promoting the region’s cultural and artistic landscape.

Filmmakers, producers, directors, actors, critics and cinema professionals from India and abroad are expected to participate in the five day festival. The event will include screenings of national and international films, panel discussions, masterclasses, interactive sessions, cultural performances and networking opportunities for stakeholders from the film and entertainment sector.

The festival is also aimed at encouraging local filmmaking talent and strengthening links between the regional film fraternity and the wider global cinema industry. The initiative is expected to open fresh avenues for collaboration, skill development and creative engagement for aspiring filmmakers from Jammu and Kashmir.

The government believes the festival will further enhance the Union Territory’s profile as an emerging hub for film production and creative expression while also contributing to tourism, youth engagement and economic activity linked to the entertainment sector.