Kashmir, September 7, 2026- The maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK 2026) got underway with a ceremonial opening at INOX Srinagar, marking the formal start of the four-day cinematic celebration running from September 7 to 10 across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg. The inauguration was led by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, along with the Director of Information and Public Relations, setting the tone for what officials have described as a landmark moment in the Union Territory’s cultural calendar.
A Long-Awaited Curtain-Raiser
The opening ceremony comes after weeks of high-level review and preparation, with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo having personally overseen the final arrangements in the run-up to the festival. In earlier coordination meetings, Dulloo had directed all concerned departments and agencies to work in close coordination to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for filmmakers, artists, delegates and audiences. He had also underscored that the festival is envisaged as an annual international event from this year onwards, and therefore its inaugural edition should establish high standards of organisation, programming and audience engagement.
That emphasis on setting a benchmark carried through to the opening at INOX, where the presence of the Chief Secretary alongside the Director of Information and Public Relations underlined the scale of institutional backing behind the event. The Directorate of Information and Public Relations has served as the principal organiser of IFFJK 2026, coordinating everything from film selection to venue logistics.
A Global Lineup Takes Center Stage
The ceremonial opening sets the stage for a festival lineup that has drawn considerable international attention. IFFJK 2026 will showcase 135 films from 41 countries, shortlisted from roughly 1,100 entries submitted from nearly 80 to 92 countries, depending on the count cited across preparatory briefings. The selected films span sections including International Panorama, Bharat Panorama, Cinema of the World, Documentary, Hybrid Documentary and J&K Select, giving audiences a broad cross-section of global and regional storytelling over the four-day run.
Screenings will continue through the festival at SKICC and INOX in Srinagar, Waves Cinema in Jammu, and select sessions in Gulmarg, with a floating cinema experience also planned on Dal Lake. The Inaugural, Closing and Award Ceremonies have been positioned at SKICC, Srinagar, with arrangements made for live broadcasting to widen the event’s reach and visibility beyond those physically present.
Officials Call for a Benchmark Debut
In the lead-up to the opening, Dulloo had called upon the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) to make special efforts to bring a larger number of acclaimed filmmakers, actors and other prominent personalities from the film fraternity to Jammu & Kashmir, reflecting the administration’s ambition to position the festival as a serious player on the international festival circuit rather than a one-off cultural event.
The Director of Information and Public Relations has also given detailed presentations in earlier planning meetings on the festival’s vision, format and international participation, highlighting the extensive outreach undertaken to secure entries and delegates from across the world for this first edition.
Setting the Tone for Four Days of Cinema
With the ceremonial opening now complete, attention turns to the packed schedule ahead — a mix of screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, workshops and cultural performances that will unfold across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg over the next four days. The festival also carries a prize purse of Rs 96 lakh across nine award categories, adding competitive weight to what organisers hope becomes a recurring showcase for global and regional filmmaking talent.
As the lights dimmed at INOX Srinagar for the first screenings of IFFJK 2026, officials reiterated that the true test of the festival lies ahead — in the smooth execution of screenings, hospitality and events across three cities over the coming days, and in whether this inaugural edition succeeds in establishing Jammu & Kashmir as a lasting destination on the international film festival map.
