From Paradise to Picture Frame: Srinagar Gears Up for Kashmir International Film Festival
KIFF aims to revive Kashmir’s deep cinematic legacy while opening new doors for young filmmakers, artists and cultural tourism
Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: Srinagar is preparing to host the upcoming Kashmir International Film Festival (KIFF), an event being seen as a major cultural milestone for the Valley and a renewed attempt to place Kashmir back on the global cinematic map.
Set against the backdrop of Dal Lake, Mughal gardens and the snow-capped Himalayas, the festival is expected to bring together filmmakers, actors, producers, writers, cinematographers, students and cinema enthusiasts from across the country and abroad for a celebration of films, storytelling and artistic dialogue.
Organisers say the festival will feature screenings of feature films, documentaries and short films alongside workshops, panel discussions, interactive sessions and master-classes designed to encourage young talent and promote creative exchange.
The event comes at a time when Kashmir is witnessing a visible revival in cultural and artistic activities, with growing efforts to project the Valley as not only a tourism destination but also a centre for art, cinema and creative industries.
Officials and organisers associated with the festival believe KIFF could play an important role in reviving Kashmir’s long-standing relationship with filmmaking.
For decades, Kashmir served as one of Bollywood’s most iconic shooting destinations. From the 1960s through the 1980s, countless classic Hindi films were shot amid the Valley’s lakes, meadows and mountains, making Kashmir synonymous with romance and cinematic beauty.
However, years of turmoil and instability led to a decline in film-related activities, with many productions shifting elsewhere. In recent years, authorities and cultural groups have intensified efforts to revive the film ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir through film policies, infrastructure support and promotion of local talent.
The festival is expected to provide a major platform for Kashmiri filmmakers and students to showcase their work before national and international audiences. Organisers say special focus will be laid on stories related to identity, heritage, environment, resilience, conflict, youth aspirations and the changing social landscape of the region.
“Cinema can become a bridge between cultures and communities. Through KIFF, we want to encourage dialogue, creativity and artistic confidence among the youth,” an organiser associated with the event said.
Apart from cultural significance, the festival is also expected to provide an economic boost to Srinagar’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Hotels, houseboats, restaurants, transport operators and handicraft businesses are likely to benefit from the arrival of guests, delegates and film enthusiasts during the festival.
Film experts say such festivals help create long-term opportunities by encouraging investments in filmmaking, digital media, photography, acting and production-related industries.
Local artists and aspiring filmmakers have welcomed the initiative, describing it as an opportunity for Kashmir’s stories to find a wider audience.
Many young filmmakers in the Valley, who have increasingly turned to independent cinema and digital platforms in recent years, believe the festival could help create mentorship opportunities and strengthen networking with established names from the film industry.
As Srinagar prepares to host the event, the city is expected to witness an atmosphere blending cinema with culture — where conversations on storytelling, art and identity unfold amid the timeless beauty of Kashmir.
For many in the Valley, KIFF represents more than a film festival; it is being viewed as a symbol of Kashmir’s re-emerging cultural voice on the national and international stage.
