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Entertainment
Kashmir Launches First International Film Festival, Reviving Bollywood Screenings
✍️ News18
🗓 10 Sep 2026, 08:41 AM
👁 17
The Kashmir Valley hosted its inaugural international film festival, marking the return of Bollywood screenings after cinema halls were closed for years.
Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley inaugurated its first ever international film festival, a landmark event that signals the revival of Bollywood screenings in the region after a prolonged shutdown of cinema halls.
The closure of movie theatres in Kashmir stemmed from years of political unrest and security restrictions, leaving local audiences without regular access to mainstream Indian cinema. The new festival aims to bridge that gap by bringing a curated selection of Indian and global films to the valley.
Organisers have highlighted the festival as a cultural catalyst, hoping to attract filmmakers, critics and cinephiles from across the country and abroad. By providing a platform for both established and emerging talent, the event seeks to rejuvenate the local film culture and stimulate related economic activity.
Authorities and industry stakeholders view the festival as a step toward normalising cultural life in Kashmir, encouraging tourism and reaffirming the region's place in the national entertainment landscape.
The inaugural edition will run for several days, featuring screenings, panel discussions and workshops designed to engage audiences and nurture a sustainable film ecosystem in the valley.
The closure of movie theatres in Kashmir stemmed from years of political unrest and security restrictions, leaving local audiences without regular access to mainstream Indian cinema. The new festival aims to bridge that gap by bringing a curated selection of Indian and global films to the valley.
Organisers have highlighted the festival as a cultural catalyst, hoping to attract filmmakers, critics and cinephiles from across the country and abroad. By providing a platform for both established and emerging talent, the event seeks to rejuvenate the local film culture and stimulate related economic activity.
Authorities and industry stakeholders view the festival as a step toward normalising cultural life in Kashmir, encouraging tourism and reaffirming the region's place in the national entertainment landscape.
The inaugural edition will run for several days, featuring screenings, panel discussions and workshops designed to engage audiences and nurture a sustainable film ecosystem in the valley.