Jammu and Kashmir’s First International Film Festival to Begin on September 7

The 1st International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 will be organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Jammu and Kashmir. The first edition of the festival will be held from September 7 to 10, 2026, in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

135 Films From 41 Countries

According to the Information Department, 135 films from 41 countries have been selected for screening at the festival. The organisers received around 1,100 film submissions from more than 80 countries. A jury shortlisted the final films for screening at the event. The festival will showcase films from different countries and provide a platform for cinema from across the world.

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Festival Objectives

The festival aims to promote the culture of Jammu and Kashmir through cinema. It also seeks to promote artistic excellence, cultural exchange and cinematic innovation by exhibiting and recognising outstanding films from around the world.

Another objective is to help audiences understand and appreciate film cultures from different nations in the context of their social and cultural backgrounds. The festival also aims to promote friendship and cooperation among people through cinema.

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Security Arrangements for the Festival

Ahead of the event, the IGP Kashmir reviewed the security preparedness and arrangements for the smooth and secure conduct of the International Film Festival. The review covered venue security, deployment of personnel, access control, surveillance, crowd management, traffic regulation, emergency response and coordination between different agencies.

Officers were directed to ensure adequate deployment at identified venues, considering the movement of visitors, participants, dignitaries and other stakeholders. Directions were also issued for route clearance and deployment of road opening parties along designated routes. Officials were asked to maintain regulated entry and exit points and ensure smooth movement around the venues. Traffic management plans were also discussed, including deployment at vulnerable and congested points.

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Reconnecting Kashmir With the Film Industry

Jammu and Kashmir has earlier been a location for Bollywood film shootings, particularly in Kashmir. The festival is being organised as an effort to promote the region through cinema and strengthen its connection with the film industry. The organisers also aim to develop IFFJK as an annual event, with the festival seeking to build stronger links between Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian film industry and the global film community.

- PTC PUNJABI