IFFJK 2026 to Bring Leading Indian and International Cinema Personalities to J&K
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 6 (ANB): The inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 is set to feature a distinguished gathering of filmmakers, cinematographers, producers, curators and cinema educators from India and abroad, providing a major platform for cultural exchange and strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s presence on the global film map.
The festival will feature an eminent jury comprising professionals with extensive experience across different fields of cinema. The panel will bring diverse artistic perspectives and expertise to the evaluation of films and contribute to the festival’s broader creative vision.
Veteran filmmaker and Padma Shri awardee Ramesh Sippy, whose iconic Sholay remains a landmark of Indian cinema, will attend the festival as a special guest. Acclaimed filmmaker, producer and screenwriter Vidhu Vinod Chopra, known for films such as 3 Idiots, PK and Mission Kashmir, will also grace the festival as a special guest.
Among the prominent jury members is internationally acclaimed cinematographer and filmmaker Santosh Sivan, a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers and an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He became the first cinematographer from the Asia-Pacific region to be admitted to the American Society of Cinematographers.
Sivan’s notable works include The Terrorist, while his contribution to international cinematography was recognised with the Pierre Angénieux Tribute at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. He has also served on several international film juries.
The jury will also include Dorothee Wenner, a German filmmaker, curator, writer and journalist associated with the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) since 1990. She has extensive experience in film programming and has served as a delegate for India and Sub-Saharan Africa, besides participating in various international cinema initiatives.
Japanese media entrepreneur, documentary filmmaker, producer and curator Keiko Bang will bring more than three decades of international media experience to the jury. She has produced over 50 award-winning documentaries and collaborated with governments, broadcasters and media organisations across more than 25 countries.
Renowned Hindi filmmaker and screenwriter Sriram Raghavan will also serve on the jury. Known for his distinctive treatment of suspense and crime narratives, Raghavan has directed films including Ek Hasina Thi, Johnny Gaddaar, Agent Vinod, Badlapur and Andhadhun.
National Film Award-winning filmmaker and cinema educator Himansu Sekhar Khatua, an FTII alumnus, is another member of the jury. He has extensive experience in filmmaking and cinema education and has undertaken important responsibilities in film-related jury assignments, including with the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
The diverse composition of the jury reflects the international character and wider artistic vision of IFFJK, bringing together expertise in cinematography, direction, documentary filmmaking, production, film curation and cinema education.
The festival is being positioned as a platform for creative excellence, cultural interaction and international collaboration, offering established filmmakers and emerging talent opportunities to showcase their work, engage with industry professionals and explore new avenues of cooperation.
The participation of prominent personalities from the Indian and international film fraternity is expected to enhance Jammu and Kashmir’s appeal as a destination for filmmakers, artists, storytellers and cinema enthusiasts.
The 1st International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir is being organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir, as a major cultural initiative aimed at celebrating cinema and strengthening the region’s engagement with the wider film community.
With an acclaimed jury, international participation and the presence of leading figures from the cinema fraternity, IFFJK 2026 is poised to mark a significant new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s cinematic and cultural journey. ANB
