Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today presided over the curtain raiser for the Ist International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) at the Royal Springs Golf Course here, describing the forthcoming festival as a landmark initiative to revive Jammu and Kashmir’s historic association with cinema and establish J&K as a preferred destination for filmmaking.
The launch event was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, eminent filmmaker and Padma Shri awardee Muzaffar Ali, renowned filmmaker and writer Imtiaz Ali, filmmaker Sajid Ali, Director Information Shreya Singhal, Secretary in Information Department, Munir ul Islam, Secretary Royal Springs Golf Course Haris Ahmad Handoo, Joint Director Information Shahnawaz Bukhari, senior government officers and members of the film fraternity.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the festival marks the beginning of a renewed partnership between Jammu and Kashmir and the film industry, recalling a time when Kashmir was an integral part of Indian cinema.
“There was a time when filmmaking in Bollywood and Kashmir was synonymous. No film was considered complete unless it had at least one sequence shot in the Valley. Even if an entire film was not shot here, at least one memorable song was,” he said.
Highlighting the vision behind IFFJK, Omar Abdullah said the festival seeks to rebuild that historic bond while creating new opportunities for local talent, strengthening the creative economy and showcasing Jammu and Kashmir to audiences across the world. “Our loss has been many other countries’ gain. Had Kashmir remained consistently open for filmmaking, many productions that went elsewhere would have continued to come here. Today, we stand at the cusp of rebuilding that relationship,” he said.
The Chief Minister stressed that the Government is working to create a filmmaker-friendly ecosystem by simplifying procedures, reducing production costs and developing a skilled local workforce to support film production.
“We need to make it easier for filmmakers to come here, cheaper for them to shoot here, and ensure that our young people are equipped with the skills required to support filmmaking activities,” he said, adding that the necessary groundwork has already begun.
Referring to filmmaker Muzaffar Ali’s long-awaited project Zooni, Omar Abdullah expressed happiness that the unfinished work had now been completed by Muzaffar Ali’s son. Originally conceived in the late 1980s with Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia in lead roles, he said the film would present Kashmir in a way not seen over the past four decades.
“If what has been completed carries even a fraction of the vision with which it was originally conceived, it will showcase Kashmir in a way it has not been presented for decades. Screening it at a Film Festival in Kashmir would elevate the festival to an entirely different level,” he said.
Expressing confidence that IFFJK would become a permanent fixture on the global film calendar, the Chief Minister said the Government envisions it evolving into an internationally recognised film festival with parallel screening in Jammu and Gulmarg.
“This is the first, but certainly not the last. Great film festivals acquire an identity and brand of their own. We hope that, in the years ahead, the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir will stand alongside the finest festivals in the country and eventually earn recognition among the best in the world,” he said.
The Chief Minister also welcomed the decision to keep Srinagar Airport operational during the festival period, saying it had removed a major logistical concern and would ensure smooth participation by filmmakers, artists and guests from across the country and abroad.
He thanked Muzaffar Ali, Imtiaz Ali and Sajid Ali for supporting the initiative and for their longstanding association with Jammu and Kashmir.
“Your presence here is encouraging not merely because of your words but because your actions over the years have demonstrated your deep association with Jammu and Kashmir. Your support gives this initiative tremendous strength, and we look forward to welcoming you all back for the festival in September,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo said that this curtain raiser ceremony is a historic occasion which reminds the great partnership of J&K with Bollywood. He added that this platform is a great occasion to establish the bond with Bollywood.
The Chief Secretary also said that J&K has a goldmine of talent and potential and we need to give platform like this to our budding filmmakers to showcase their talent.
Padma Shri awardee and noted film maker, Muzaffar Ali, while speaking on the occasion highlighted that Kashmir has special place in the Bollywood from the very beginning. He also remembered his association with the Kashmir while shooting for various remarkable films here.
In his address, renowned filmmaker and writer Imtiaz Ali said that Kashmiri youth are brightest as far as talent is concerned. He also remembered his association with Kashmir while shooting for various Bollywood blockbusters in the valley.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Director Information, Shreya Singhal said that this curtain raiser ceremony will set the centre stage for homecoming of cinema to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Director Information highlighted that this film festival aims to establish J&K as a prime film shooting destination in the country. She added that till date around 400 entries from over 25 countries in different formats have been received for screening during the festival and the entry for film submissions will close on 30th July, 2026.
During the event, the Chief Minister also unveiled the merchandise of the Film Festival.
Pertinently, the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), scheduled to be held from 7th to 10th September 2026, is envisioned as a premier platform celebrating cinema, culture and creativity while showcasing the region’s breathtaking landscapes, artistic heritage and emerging filmmaking ecosystem. The festival is expected to bring together filmmakers, artists, industry leaders and cinema enthusiasts from India and around the world, reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir’s place on the global cinematic map.