Jammu , September 18,2026– The 5th edition of the Jammu International Film Festival will be held at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu, on September 28-29, inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. This year’s festival has received over 200 film entries from 35 countries, including 22 regional films from Jammu and Kashmir, with a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for the Best Film.
A Milestone Edition
Organised by Vomedh, a leading cultural and theatre organisation of Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu Film Festival (JFF) has, over its first four editions, established itself as a fast-emerging international film festival from North India, consistently inaugurated and supported by senior government dignitaries, including the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Over its previous four editions, the festival collectively received more than 500 film entries from over 40 countries, earning coverage across national and international media outlets, including The Times of India, Daily Excelsior, and UNI India.
Returning with its milestone 5th edition, JFF has firmly established itself as Jammu’s only international film festival, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences from across the globe.
A Growing Global and Regional Footprint
This year’s edition has drawn over 200 film entries from 35 countries, reflecting the festival’s expanding international reach. Alongside the global entries, 22 regional films from Jammu and Kashmir have been selected, underscoring the festival’s continued commitment to showcasing homegrown storytelling talent from the region alongside international cinema.
The festival’s focus on regional representation offers local filmmakers a valuable platform to present their work to a wider audience, including international delegates and industry professionals attending the two-day event.
A Historic Venue for a Modern Celebration
The festival will once again be hosted at Abhinav Theatre, one of Jammu’s most eminent heritage venues and a symbol of Dogra cultural history. Since its establishment, Abhinav Theatre has played a significant role in shaping Jammu’s theatrical and cultural landscape, hosting numerous historical plays and performances that have contributed to the region’s artistic identity. Its selection as the venue for JFF’s landmark 5th edition adds a layer of cultural continuity, blending the city’s rich performing arts heritage with contemporary cinema.
Recognising Excellence in Filmmaking
As part of the festival, a cash prize of ₹1 lakh has been announced for the Best Film award, reflecting the festival’s growing stature and its effort to recognise and reward outstanding cinematic work presented at the event. The award structure is expected to further incentivise quality submissions from filmmakers across India and abroad in the festival’s upcoming editions.
Positioning Jammu on the Global Cinema Map
The Jammu Film Festival’s steady growth over five editions mirrors a broader push to position Jammu and Kashmir as a significant destination for cinema and cultural exchange, complementing other major initiatives in the region, including the recently held International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. Together, such festivals are helping build a stronger cinematic ecosystem across the Union Territory, offering platforms for both established and emerging filmmakers.
Officials associated with the festival have described JFF as a bridge between regional storytelling and global cinema, with organisers emphasising a consistent focus on meaningful and diverse storytelling over sheer volume of entries.
A Platform for Filmmakers, Artists, and Audiences
As preparations for the two-day event move into their final stages, the 5th edition of the Jammu Film Festival is expected to bring together filmmakers, artists, and audiences from across the globe, continuing its trajectory as a significant cultural and cinematic platform for the region. With the Lieutenant Governor’s inauguration lending further prominence to the event, organisers anticipate strong participation and engagement from both the local community and the wider film fraternity in this milestone edition.
