DIPR Holds ‘Frame by Frame’ Meet Ahead of 1st IFFJK-2026

JAMMU, AUGUST 10: The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on Monday organised ‘Frame by Frame: The Storytellers’ Meet’ at the DIPR Media Complex here as a precursor to the upcoming 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026.
Commissioner Secretary, Information, R Alice Vaz, who was the Chief Guest, interacted with filmmakers, actors, producers, artists, writers and other members of the film and media fraternity during the event.
Director Information Shreya Singhal, Special Secretary Information Pawan Singh Rathore, Director Floriculture Nagendra Jamwal, Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta, Additional Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Sonali Arun Gupta, Joint Director Information Jammu Deepak Dubey, and prominent members of the film fraternity were also present.
Addressing the gathering, R Alice Vaz described the first IFFJK as a landmark initiative aimed at opening a new chapter in the cultural and creative journey of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Jammu and Kashmir has a rich and enduring association with cinema. The first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir is an important step towards building on this legacy and creating new opportunities for the film fraternity,” she said.
She said the department had taken note of the suggestions and expectations shared by members of the film fraternity and assured that these inputs would be considered while framing policies and initiatives to facilitate the growth of the film sector in J&K.
The Commissioner Secretary said the festival was envisioned not merely as a platform for film screenings but also as a space for dialogue, interaction, collaboration and cultural exchange. She invited filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and other members of the fraternity to participate in the festival in large numbers.
She also highlighted the festival’s potential to promote Jammu and Kashmir as an attractive destination for filmmakers and visitors, besides showcasing its landscapes, culture and creative potential to audiences across the country and abroad.
Director Information Shreya Singhal said IFFJK marks a significant moment for J&K, which has shared a deep and historic relationship with cinema.
“Jammu & Kashmir has been closely associated with films for decades. For many people across the country and the world, the landscapes and identity of Jammu & Kashmir have been introduced through cinema. It is therefore fitting that Jammu and Kashmir now hosts an International Film Festival of its own,” she said.
Giving an overview of the festival, she said IFFJK-2026 will be held from September 7 to 10 in Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg, bringing together actors, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers and other professionals from India and abroad.
She said the festival seeks to reignite the spirit of filmmaking in J&K, establish the Union Territory as a premier filmmaking destination and provide young local talent opportunities to interact with leading professionals, hone their skills and build networks.
Shreya Singhal informed that the maiden edition of the festival had received entries from more than 80 countries, describing the response as an indication of the growing global interest in J&K as a cultural and cinematic destination.
The festival will feature screenings of feature films, short films and documentaries from international, national and regional cinema, besides masterclasses and technical sessions covering areas such as filmmaking, sound and editing, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence in filmmaking and animation.
She said DIPR had also undertaken an extensive publicity and social media campaign to give the festival a distinct identity and reach audiences beyond the region. A dedicated website and application have also been developed for registrations, film submissions and dissemination of festival updates.
The Director Information further informed that the gala opening and closing ceremonies would be held on September 7 and 10, respectively, with participation from acclaimed members of the film fraternity.
During the interaction, members of the film fraternity and creative community shared their views and suggestions on strengthening the film sector and making the festival more inclusive. They appreciated the Government and DIPR for organising the first IFFJK in J&K and emphasised the need to provide greater exposure and opportunities to local artists and filmmakers.
Pertinently, the 1st IFFJK-2026, scheduled from September 7 to 10, aims to promote artistic excellence, cinematic innovation and cultural exchange while fostering appreciation for world cinema.
As part of the festival, DIPR has also announced the IFFJK Emerging Filmmakers Competition 2026 to encourage young filmmaking talent from J&K. Registrations for the competition commenced on August 6, while the last date for submission is August 26, 2026.
The competition is exclusively open to aspiring filmmakers from J&K and will provide young storytellers a platform to showcase their creativity, cinematic vision and technical skills through original short films.