Srinagar, July 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the Union Territory will make filmmaking easier and more affordable as it seeks to revive its historic association with the film industry through the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026.
Launching the festival logo at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, Abdullah said Kashmir once shared an inseparable bond with Bollywood, with the Valley featuring prominently in Indian films.
“There was a time when no Bollywood film was considered complete without at least one sequence or song being shot in Kashmir,” he said, adding that the festival aims to rebuild that long-standing relationship and restore the region as a preferred destination for filmmakers.
The Chief Minister stressed that scenic beauty alone is no longer enough to attract film productions. He said the government is working to create a filmmaker-friendly ecosystem by reducing costs, simplifying filming processes and developing local talent to support the industry.
Abdullah also expressed satisfaction over filmmaker Muzaffar Ali’s long-delayed project Zooni being completed by his son, saying he hoped the film would present Kashmir in a fresh light.
He said the government intends to make the festival an annual event with international participation and welcomed the Centre’s decision not to close Srinagar Airport during the scheduled festival period, calling it a major relief for organisers.
The inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 will be held from September 7 to 11. Organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the festival will feature screenings and competitions across multiple categories while promoting local talent alongside global filmmakers.
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