📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Entertainment
Kashmir to Host First International Film Festival, Aiming to Become Global Film Hub
✍️ WION
🗓 06 Sep 2026, 08:39 AM
👁 22
Kashmir will hold its inaugural international film festival, marking a push to transform the region into a global cinema destination.
The tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir announced that the valley will stage its first international film festival later this year. The event, slated to run for several days, will feature screenings, panel discussions and workshops with filmmakers from across the world.
Organisers aim to leverage Kashmir's scenic locales, which have long been favoured by Bollywood for song sequences, to attract global cinema talent and investors. The festival is expected to showcase a mix of independent, documentary and feature films, providing a platform for regional artists to interact with international peers.
State officials said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to revive tourism after years of unrest, and they anticipate a positive economic impact on hospitality, transport and related sectors. Partnerships with film schools and cultural bodies are being explored to ensure a professional standard of programming.
While the detailed lineup and guest list are still being finalised, the authorities have confirmed that the venue will be set in Srinagar, with additional screenings in other towns across the valley. Security and logistical arrangements are being coordinated with local police and the central government to ensure a smooth run.
The festival marks a strategic shift for Kashmir, seeking to reposition itself from a domestic shooting hotspot to an internationally recognised film hub, potentially opening new avenues for cultural exchange and creative collaboration.
Organisers aim to leverage Kashmir's scenic locales, which have long been favoured by Bollywood for song sequences, to attract global cinema talent and investors. The festival is expected to showcase a mix of independent, documentary and feature films, providing a platform for regional artists to interact with international peers.
State officials said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to revive tourism after years of unrest, and they anticipate a positive economic impact on hospitality, transport and related sectors. Partnerships with film schools and cultural bodies are being explored to ensure a professional standard of programming.
While the detailed lineup and guest list are still being finalised, the authorities have confirmed that the venue will be set in Srinagar, with additional screenings in other towns across the valley. Security and logistical arrangements are being coordinated with local police and the central government to ensure a smooth run.
The festival marks a strategic shift for Kashmir, seeking to reposition itself from a domestic shooting hotspot to an internationally recognised film hub, potentially opening new avenues for cultural exchange and creative collaboration.