Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s long association with cinema has entered a new phase with the launch of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Monday, highlighting the region’s cultural heritage and enduring appeal to filmmakers.
Speaking at the inauguration of the four-day festival at the Kashmir International Conference Centre, Abdullah said the region’s attraction for the film industry extends beyond its picturesque landscapes and is deeply rooted in the cultural ethos of ‘Kashmiriyat’.
The chief minister invited filmmakers from India and abroad to explore Jammu and Kashmir as a destination for film production. He described the Union Territory as open, safe, vibrant and ready to welcome film crews.
Addressing filmmakers and delegates attending the festival, Abdullah called on them to become ambassadors for Jammu and Kashmir by sharing their experiences with the wider film community.
“Carry a piece of Jammu and Kashmir back in your hearts,” he told the delegates, urging them to encourage fellow filmmakers to return to the region for future productions.
The festival marks a renewed effort to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s connection with the film industry and showcase its cultural and cinematic potential to audiences from across the country and abroad.
