JAMMU: The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) organised Frame by Frame: The Storytellers’ Meet at the DIPR Media Complex, Jammu, ahead of the first 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 and other members of the film and media fraternity.
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 several prominent members of the film fraternity attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, R Alice Vaz described the first IFFJK as a landmark initiative aimed at opening a new chapter in Jammu & Kashmir’s cultural and creative journey. She said the region’s rich association with cinema provides a strong foundation for creating new opportunities for filmmakers and artists.
She said the suggestions and expectations shared by members of the film fraternity 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 would not be limited to film screenings but would also provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration, interaction 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 & Kashmir as an attractive destination for filmmaking and tourism by showcasing its landscapes, culture and creative potential to audiences across India and abroad.
Director Information Shreya Singhal said the first IFFJK marked a significant moment for J&K, which has shared a deep and historic association with cinema.
She informed that IFFJK-2026 will be held from September 7 to 10 in Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg, bringing together filmmakers and professionals from India and across the world.
The festival aims to establish J&K as a premier filmmaking destination while providing local artists and young filmmakers opportunities to interact with established industry professionals, hone their skills and build professional networks.
Singhal said the maiden edition has received entries from more than 80 countries, reflecting growing international interest in J&K as a cultural and cinematic destination.
The festival will feature screenings of feature films, short films and documentaries besides masterclasses and technical sessions covering filmmaking, sound and editing, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, animation and other contemporary aspects of cinema.
She said DIPR has undertaken an extensive publicity and social media campaign and developed a dedicated website and application for registrations, film submissions and festival updates. The gala opening and closing ceremonies will be held on September 7 and 10 respectively.
Members of the film fraternity welcomed the initiative and urged the authorities to ensure greater opportunities and exposure for local artists through the festival and other such events.
As part of IFFJK-2026, DIPR has also launched the IFFJK Emerging Filmmakers Competition 2026 exclusively for aspiring filmmakers from Jammu & Kashmir. Registrations began on August 6, while the last date for submission of original short films is August 26, 2026.
The festival is aimed at promoting artistic excellence, cinematic innovation and cultural exchange while fostering greater appreciation for world cinema.