International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir

Conceived by the Jammu & Kashmir government's Information and Public Relations Department, the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) seeks to restore the Union Territory's historic association with cinema and position it as a competitive production destination. The festival's broader objective is to convert the region’s cinematic appeal into an economic opportunity, attracting global production houses, supporting film tourism, and building a local creative economy around filmmaking.

The inaugural program features 135 films from over 40 countries, selected from more than 1,100 submissions received from 92 countries. India has the largest representation with 64 films, followed by France with 13 and Iran with 8. A unique highlight of the festival is a floating cinema on Dal Lake in Srinagar, where films are screened on a floating screen, allowing audiences to watch from traditional shikara boats. Principal venues include the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) and the INOX multiplex in Srinagar, with additional sessions planned in Jammu and Gulmarg.

Beyond film screenings, the festival offers masterclasses and workshops led by industry veterans such as director Sriram Raghavan, editor Namrata Rao, and sound designer Resul Pookutty, intended to mentor aspiring local filmmakers and students. A dedicated 'Jammu & Kashmir Select' section highlights regional stories and filmmakers, supported by prize money totaling ₹96 lakh across nine categories, including Best Film and Best Director. An international five-member jury, including cinematographer Santosh Sivan, evaluates the competitive entries to celebrate excellence in global and local storytelling.