Srinagar, September 2,2026– IFFJK 2026 Director IAS Shreya Singhal says, “Jammu and Kashmir’s first International Film Festival will be held from September 7 to 10, 2026, aiming to showcase the region’s connection with the film industry and provide local artists with international exposure.”
A Landmark Cultural Assignment
Singhal, a 2020-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer currently serving as Director, Information, Jammu and Kashmir, was appointed Festival Director for the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) through a Government Order issued by the General Administration Department in August 2026. The nomination places her at the helm of one of the Union Territory’s most significant cultural initiatives, tasking her with the planning, coordination, and execution of the four-day event.
As Festival Director, Singhal is authorised to coordinate with Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu, nodal officers, and various government departments, and to convene coordination meetings and issue operational directions necessary for the smooth conduct of the festival. The government has directed all concerned departments and administrative agencies to extend full cooperation to ensure the event’s success.
A Multi-City Festival
IFFJK 2026 has been designed as a multi-city event rather than a single-location festival. The main events will be held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, with parallel programmes and side events organised in Jammu and at the Gulmarg health resort, extending the festival’s reach across the Union Territory.
The four-day festival will bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema enthusiasts from India and abroad, with a shortlisted selection of 135 entries from 41 countries, including a significant contingent from India, alongside films from France, Iran, and several other nations.
Showcasing J&K’s Connection with Cinema
According to Singhal, the festival’s core objective is to highlight Jammu and Kashmir’s long-standing connection with the film industry — a region that has served as a backdrop for numerous Indian and international productions over the decades — while also creating meaningful opportunities for local artists and filmmakers to gain international exposure.
Officials associated with the festival have noted that providing a platform for homegrown talent is central to the event’s design, with the aim of enabling Kashmir’s filmmakers, actors, and technicians to engage directly with global industry professionals, participate in creative collaborations, and showcase their work to audiences beyond the region.
A Role Beyond Event Management
Singhal’s appointment reflects the administration’s decision to entrust the festival’s execution to an officer with prior experience in tourism, infrastructure, and public communication assignments within Jammu and Kashmir. The assignment requires coordinating numerous stakeholders across departments and cities, ensuring seamless communication, and keeping preparations on track for an event spanning multiple venues.
With her existing role as Director, Information, J&K, already placing her at the centre of the government’s public communication machinery, the additional charge of Festival Director has considerably expanded her portfolio in the lead-up to the event.
Building J&K’s Global Cultural Profile
The inaugural edition of IFFJK is being viewed as a significant step in positioning Jammu and Kashmir as an international destination for cinema, cultural exchange, and creative collaboration. Officials expect the festival to not only showcase the region’s natural beauty and cinematic heritage to a global audience but also to open new avenues for local talent to build connections within the international film industry.
As preparations enter their final phase, Singhal and her team continue to coordinate with stakeholders across Srinagar, Jammu, and Gulmarg to ensure a smooth and successful debut for what organisers hope will become a recurring fixture on the international film festival calendar.