Kashmir Hosts 1st Int'l Film Fest
The four-day event features 135 films from 41 countries, aiming to revive the local film industry and showcase the region's rich heritage
Kashmir hosted its inaugural international film festival on September 7, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the region's cultural landscape. The four-day event featured 135 films from 41 countries, with the goal of reviving the local film industry and showcasing the region's rich heritage.
The festival was inaugurated by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Directorate of Information and Public Relations director Shreya Singhal. The first film screened at the festival was the Lebanese film 'Dead Dog', a drama on the reunion of an estranged couple.
The festival aims to provide opportunities for local youth and revive the local film industry, which had suffered due to the closure of cinema halls in the valley over three decades ago. The Inox theatre in Srinagar's Shiv Pora area, where the festival was held, is the first functional cinema hall to reopen in the valley after 23 years.
The festival received around 1,100 entries, out of which 135 were shortlisted. The event will be held at multiple venues, including the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and the Inox theatre. Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the return of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, which made the festival possible.
## Why it matters The festival is a significant step towards reviving the local film industry and showcasing the region's rich heritage. Kashmir had once been a popular destination for filmmakers, with many Hindi superhits shot in the region, such as 'Junglee' and 'Kashmir ki Kali'. The festival aims to re-establish the connection between Kashmir and the world of cinema, and provide opportunities for local youth and artists.
The success of the festival is a testament to the return of normalcy in the region, which had been affected by militancy over three decades ago. The event is expected to create new opportunities for young people and add to the Union Territory's cultural landscape.
## What happens next The festival will continue to screen movies at various venues in Srinagar and Jammu city. The event is expected to attract filmmakers and artists from around the world, and provide a platform for local talent to showcase their work. With the success of the inaugural festival, Kashmir is once again poised to become a prominent film destination, and the local film industry is expected to flourish in the coming years.
