Srinagar, Sep 7: The administration on Monday rolled out the red carpet for cinema as the first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) formally opened in Srinagar, bringing filmmakers, actors, directors and cinema professionals together for a four-day celebration of films and culture.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the festival at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake here.
The opening ceremony brought together several prominent names from the film industry, including filmmakers, actors and other members of the creative fraternity, marking a significant moment for Jammu and Kashmir’s association with cinema.
Earlier in the day, the festival had a ceremonial opening at INOX Srinagar, where Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director Information and Public Relations formally set the festival in motion.
The evening programme at SKICC featured musical and cultural performances, with the venue illuminated for the opening celebrations as guests and delegates gathered for the festival.
The festival, being organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), is being held from September 7 to 10 under the theme “Rang-e-Cinema”.
Importantly, the inaugural edition features 135 films from 41 countries, including feature films, documentaries, shorts and regional cinema, with screenings and programmes scheduled across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg. The festival also includes masterclasses, industry interactions and discussions aimed at connecting emerging filmmakers with established names from India and abroad.
Among the prominent cinema personalities associated with the festival are Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Ramesh Sippy, Imtiaz Ali and Pankaj Tripathi, besides actors including Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sadia Khateeb, Vedang Raina and others.
The festival is being projected as an effort to revive Jammu and Kashmir’s longstanding connection with cinema and promote the region as a destination for filmmaking, cultural exchange and film tourism. (KNO)
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