Onlykashmir.in News Desk | Bilal Bashir Bhat
The inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 has concluded in Srinagar after bringing together filmmakers, artists, jury members, guests and cinema enthusiasts from across India and abroad.
According to the festival’s closing communication, IFFJK 2026 received 1,184 film submissions from 91 countries, of which 120 films were screened during the festival. The four-day event also featured 17 masterclasses and discussions, providing a platform for filmmakers, artists and audiences to engage in conversations around cinema, creativity and culture.
More than 6,600 visitors attended the festival, underlining the growing public interest in Jammu & Kashmir as a destination for cinematic and cultural events.
The organisers thanked filmmakers, artists, jury members, guests, partners, volunteers and audiences for making the maiden edition memorable, describing the festival as “more than a festival” and “a shared journey.”
The festival was organised with the support of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, J&K, along with various government institutions, sponsors and associates.
The successful conclusion of IFFJK 2026 marks a significant beginning for Jammu & Kashmir’s international presence on the cinematic map, with organisers expressing hope of returning with an even larger and more diverse edition in the future.
Chief Minister urges young storytellers to share their experiences
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while addressing the closing ceremony of the first International Film Festival IFFJK, said that Jammu and Kashmir should become a hub of its own stories and local talent instead of just being a beautiful place for films.
He said that the festival showcased 120 films from over 30 countries and provided an opportunity for international filmmakers and local youth to come on one platform.
Omar Abdullah invited filmmakers to come to Jammu and Kashmir again, make films here and collaborate with the locals, while appealing to the youth to tell the stories of their regions, families and society.
He said that instead of limiting IFFJK to a four-day event, it should be made a platform for training, exhibition and film collaboration throughout the year.
Mystical music adds spiritual color to film festival closing ceremony
The closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) was filled with the melodious melodies of Kashmiri folk and Sufi music, as renowned singer Gulzar Ahmed Ganai, popularly known as Gulzar Gani, enthralled the audience with his soulful voice.
Gulzar Gani performed the popular poem ‘Yar Dood Nar Khot’ by renowned Kashmiri Sufi poet Wahab Khar, which was lauded by the audience.
The presentation added a unique touch of Kashmiri culture and Sufi tradition to the event. Wahab Khar’s poetry is deeply connected to spirituality and Kashmiri cultural temperament and is still alive today through Sufi and folk music.
Gulzar Gani, a renowned artist of Kashmiri folk music, Sufi poetry and Chakri, has rendered significant services for the preservation and promotion of the traditional music of the region in his artistic career spanning several decades.
L. Murugan — Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting
“Jammu and Kashmir has immense potential to once again emerge as a global filmmaking hub. The region’s breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and creative talent can be showcased to the world through cinema.”
Chanchal Kumar — Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
“Jammu and Kashmir’s natural landscapes, literature, music and traditions make it a unique destination for filmmaking. Our effort is to connect local talent with filmmakers, producers and mentors, creating new opportunities for them.”
