Jammu, August 10: The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on Monday organised Frame by Frame: The Storytellers’ Meet at the DIPR Media Complex in Jammu, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, artists, writers and other stakeholders ahead of the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026.
Commissioner Secretary, Information, R Alice Vaz, who attended the event as Chief Guest, interacted with members of the film and media fraternity and invited them to participate in the festival in large numbers.
Describing the first IFFJK as a landmark initiative, Vaz said the festival would open a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and creative journey while building on the region’s long association with cinema.
“Jammu and Kashmir has a rich and enduring association with cinema. The first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir is an important step towards building on this legacy and creating new opportunities for the film fraternity,” she said.
Vaz said the department had taken note of suggestions and expectations shared by members of the fraternity during the interaction and assured that these inputs would be considered while framing future policies and initiatives for the growth of the film sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
She said DIPR was committed to creating a more conducive environment for filmmakers, artists and other creative professionals.
According to the Commissioner Secretary, the festival would extend beyond film screenings by providing a platform for dialogue, collaboration, interaction and cultural exchange.
“The festival is not only about showcasing films, it is about bringing together filmmakers, producers, artists, audiences and the wider creative community. We want this platform to encourage dialogue, collaboration and new creative possibilities,” she said.
She also highlighted the festival’s potential to promote Jammu and Kashmir as a destination for filmmaking and tourism, saying the event would provide an opportunity to showcase the region’s landscapes, culture and creative potential to audiences in India and abroad.
Director Information Shreya Singhal said the first IFFJK marked an important moment for Jammu and Kashmir, given its deep historical connection with the film industry.
“Jammu & Kashmir has been closely associated with films for decades. For many people across the country and the world, the landscapes and identity of Jammu & Kashmir have been introduced through cinema. It is therefore fitting that Jammu and Kashmir now hosts an International Film Festival of its own,” she said.
Providing an overview of the festival, Singhal said IFFJK-2026 would be held from September 7 to 10 across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg, with participation from actors, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers and other professionals from India and abroad.
She said the festival aims to revive the spirit of filmmaking in the region and position Jammu and Kashmir as a premier destination for filmmakers, while creating opportunities for local young talent.
“The festival seeks to reignite the spirit of filmmaking in Jammu & Kashmir and establish it as a premier destination for filmmakers. At the same time, one of our key objectives is to celebrate and empower the immensely talented young people of J&K associated with the film industry,” Singhal said.
She added that local filmmakers and artists would get opportunities to interact with established professionals, develop their skills and build industry networks.
The maiden edition of the festival has already received entries from more than 80 countries, which Singhal described as a strong indication of the international interest in Jammu and Kashmir as a cultural and cinematic destination.
The festival will feature screenings of feature films, short films and documentaries representing international, national and regional cinema. Masterclasses and technical sessions will also be organised on subjects including filmmaking, sound, editing, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence in filmmaking and animation.
Singhal said DIPR had launched an extensive publicity and social media campaign to build a distinct identity for IFFJK and expand its reach beyond the region.
She said a dedicated website and application had also been developed to facilitate registrations, film submissions and access to festival updates.
The gala opening and closing ceremonies are scheduled for September 7 and 10 respectively, with participation from acclaimed members of the film fraternity.
During the storytellers’ meet, members of the film and creative community shared their experiences and suggestions on strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s film ecosystem. Participants welcomed the organisation of the first IFFJK and stressed the need to ensure greater visibility and opportunities for local artists through such large-scale events.
The first IFFJK-2026 is scheduled from September 7 to 10 with the objective of promoting artistic excellence, cinematic innovation and cultural exchange while encouraging wider appreciation of world cinema.
As part of efforts to nurture emerging talent, DIPR has also announced the IFFJK Emerging Filmmakers Competition 2026, exclusively for aspiring filmmakers from Jammu and Kashmir.
Registrations for the competition began on August 6, with participants invited to submit original short films showcasing their creativity, cinematic vision and technical skills. The deadline for submissions is August 26, 2026.
The initiative is expected to provide young storytellers from the region with a dedicated platform to showcase their work and connect with the wider filmmaking community.
