Srinagar , August 31,2026– IFFJK 2026, the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, will be held from September 7 to 10, 2026, and the Jammu and Kashmir Government has now announced its five-member jury. The panel features acclaimed filmmakers and cinema professionals Santosh Sivan, Resul Pookutty, Dorothee Wenner, Keiko Bang, and Himansu Sekhar Khatua, who will evaluate entries across various competition and thematic sections of the festival.
Jury Announcement
The panel was announced by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Jammu and Kashmir, on August 27, 2026. The jury will assess films across international, national, and J&K-focused competition and thematic sections, with organisers noting that the mix of Indian and international expertise is intended to ensure an independent and globally informed evaluation of the entries.
A Distinguished Panel
The jury brings together some of the most respected names in Indian and international cinema. Santosh Sivan, an acclaimed cinematographer, filmmaker, and producer, is a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers. He directed “The Terrorist” and received the Pierre Angénieux Tribute at Cannes in 2024, one of the festival’s most prestigious honours for excellence in cinematography.
Resul Pookutty, the Oscar- and BAFTA-winning sound designer known for his work on “Slumdog Millionaire,” is a recipient of the Padma Shri and the National Film Award, and has previously served on the executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Dorothee Wenner, a German filmmaker, curator, writer, and journalist, has been associated with the Berlin International Film Festival since 1990, serving as a programmer and delegate for India and Sub-Saharan Africa. She is also a founding jury member of the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Keiko Bang, a Japanese media entrepreneur, documentary filmmaker, producer, and curator, is the founder and CEO of Bang Singapore Pte Ltd. She has produced more than 50 award-winning documentaries and has worked extensively on co-productions across Asia.
Himansu Sekhar Khatua, a National Film Award-winning filmmaker and educator, is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and a former director of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). He is known for films including “Shunya Swaroopa” and “Ishanou.”
Festival Snapshot
IFFJK 2026 is being organised by DIPR in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The festival will screen 135 films from 41 countries, with India contributing the largest share at 64 films, followed by France with 13 and Iran with 8.
A prize purse of ₹96 lakh has been planned across nine categories, including the Best Film award worth ₹25 lakh and a dedicated Best Film – J&K Select award worth ₹10 lakh, aimed at recognising cinematic talent and stories rooted in the region.
Festival venues include the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, with additional programming planned in Jammu and Gulmarg. Organisers have also announced plans for a floating screen on Dal Lake, adding a distinctive setting to the festival’s inaugural edition.
A Platform to Showcase Kashmir’s Cinematic Potential
The stated aim of the festival is to position Jammu and Kashmir as a destination for cinema, cultural exchange, and filmmaking, leveraging the region’s scenic landscapes and cultural heritage to attract filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles from across the world.
With a jury comprising internationally recognised names in cinematography, sound design, curation, and filmmaking, organisers expect the inaugural edition of IFFJK to set a strong benchmark for future editions, while providing a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their work on an international stage. Officials associated with DIPR said the festival is envisioned as an annual event that could, over time, establish Jammu and Kashmir as a recurring stop on the global film festival circuit, drawing sustained attention to the region’s tourism and cultural offerings alongside its cinematic ambitions.