LG Sinha Urges Filmmakers to Expose Terror Networks at Srinagar International Film Festival

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated the International Film Festival of Srinagar (TIFFS), calling on filmmakers to use cinema as a tool to highlight the ordeal of terror victims, expose terror networks, and showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s transformation since August 2019.

Speaking at the event organised by the Vomedh Group, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the need for public cooperation in eliminating terrorism from society. “We must eliminate every single terror element within society to completely restore peace, and this effort requires the cooperation of all sections of the public,” Sinha said.

He urged citizens to support security forces by sharing information about “enemies of peace” and the “terror ecosystem hiding behind social cover”, so that their networks could be dismantled. “People must expose these elements and give a befitting reply to the evil intentions of the neighbouring country,” he added.

Highlighting the significant progress achieved in the past six years, Sinha credited the Jammu Kashmir Police, Army, intelligence, and security forces for creating a “fear-free environment” in the Union Territory. “Society must come together to guard this peace, progress, joy, and renewed hope,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised the government’s initiatives to revive Jammu and Kashmir’s relationship with the film industry, introducing measures to facilitate film shooting and encourage investment. He urged filmmakers to balance entertainment with social responsibility, noting that “cinema is one of the most powerful tools for shaping social narratives, fostering cultural unity, and promoting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”

The fourth edition of the festival received over 100 entries from 20 countries, with an eminent jury shortlisting 20 short films, six feature films, and four documentaries for screening. Feature films from India, Poland, Russia, and Sri Lanka, along with entries from the USA, France, Germany, Turkey, and Switzerland, will be showcased over the three-day event.

The festival, which celebrates cultural exchange and creative storytelling, symbolises Jammu and Kashmir’s artistic resurgence and growing prominence as a global cinematic hub.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Rohit Bhat and Rakesh Roshan Bhat, Festival Directors of TIFFS; Prof Nazir Ahmad Gana, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Rajiv Pandey, DIG CKR; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; members of the Vomedh Group, Avanti Foundation, and Landmark Crafts Limited, alongside prominent artists, filmmakers, and cinema enthusiasts.