Onlykashmir.in News Desk
In a landmark push to restore Jammu & Kashmir’s iconic place on the world cinema map, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday unveiled the curtain raiser for the 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), declaring that the Valley is ready to reclaim its long-lost status as Bollywood’s favourite filming destination and emerge as a global filmmaking hub.
Presiding over the high-profile event at the Royal Springs Golf Course, Omar Abdullah described the upcoming festival as a historic turning point that will reconnect Kashmir with its cinematic legacy while opening new doors for investment, employment, tourism, and creative industries.
The launch ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Padma Shri awardee and veteran filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, celebrated filmmaker and writer Imtiaz Ali, filmmaker Sajid Ali, Director Information Shreya Singhal, Secretary Information Munir-ul-Islam, Secretary Royal Springs Golf Course Haris Ahmad Handoo, Joint Director Information Shahnawaz Bukhari, senior government officials, and members of the film fraternity.
“There was a time when Bollywood and Kashmir were inseparable. No film felt complete without a scene or a memorable song shot in the Valley,” Omar Abdullah said, adding that the International Film Festival aims to revive that historic relationship and position Jammu & Kashmir once again among the world’s premier filmmaking destinations.
Calling the festival far more than a cultural event, the Chief Minister said it would generate opportunities for local youth, strengthen the creative economy, and project the unmatched beauty and heritage of Jammu & Kashmir to global audiences.
“Our loss became someone else’s gain. Had Kashmir remained consistently open for filmmaking, countless productions that went elsewhere would have continued to come here. Today, we are rebuilding that relationship,” he said.
Announcing a filmmaker-friendly ecosystem, Omar Abdullah said the Government is committed to simplifying permissions, reducing production costs, and creating a skilled local workforce capable of supporting major film projects.
He also welcomed the completion of Muzaffar Ali’s long-awaited dream project “Zooni,” originally conceived in the late 1980s with Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia. He expressed confidence that the film would present Kashmir in a way audiences have not witnessed in nearly four decades and said screening it during the festival would elevate IFFJK to an entirely different level.
Expressing confidence that IFFJK would become a permanent fixture on the international film calendar, Omar Abdullah said the Government envisions future editions expanding with parallel screenings in Jammu and Gulmarg, ultimately standing alongside India’s finest film festivals and earning global recognition.
The Chief Minister also welcomed the decision to keep Srinagar Airport operational during the festival period, calling it a major logistical boost that will ensure seamless participation by filmmakers, artists, and delegates from India and abroad.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo described the curtain raiser as a historic moment that revives Jammu & Kashmir’s celebrated association with Bollywood. He said the Union Territory possesses a goldmine of talent and that platforms like IFFJK would help nurture and showcase emerging filmmakers.
Veteran filmmaker Muzaffar Ali recalled Kashmir’s timeless association with Indian cinema and reflected on his own memorable experiences of filming in the Valley over the years.
Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali praised Kashmiri youth as among the brightest creative talents in the country and expressed hope that the festival would inspire a new generation of filmmakers from the region. He also reminisced about shooting several of his acclaimed films in Kashmir.
In her welcome address, Director Information Shreya Singhal said the curtain raiser marks the beginning of cinema’s homecoming to Jammu & Kashmir. She revealed that more than 400 film entries from over 25 countries have already been received in multiple categories, while submissions will remain open until July 30, 2026.
During the event, the Chief Minister also unveiled the official merchandise of the International Film Festival.
Scheduled from September 7 to 10, 2026, the 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) is envisioned as a premier global platform celebrating cinema, culture, creativity, and the breathtaking landscapes of the region, bringing together filmmakers, artists, industry leaders, and cinema enthusiasts from across India and around the world in what is being projected as Kashmir’s biggest cinematic comeback in decades.
