All about Kashmir's first International Film Festival that transformed Dal Lake into an open-air theatre

Amid the tranquil waters of Dal Lake, with majestic snow-capped mountains forming a dramatic backdrop, hundreds of people gathered to watch a film. This was the scene at Kashmir’s first international film festival, where Dal Lake was transformed into an open-air theatre. 

Kashmir’s first International Film Festival celebrates cinema against the backdrop of Dal Lake

The special venue for the film’s screening brought a floating theatre to life as the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 unfolded in the scenic town of Srinagar. Marking the first edition, the festival took place from September 7 to 10. It attracted people from across the country and had become an experiential scene for the tourists.

The Floating Cinema opened with the screening of the 1961 classic Junglee. Following that, a series of local works were screened, giving Kashmiri filmmakers a platform to showcase their stories to a global audience. 

A total of 120 films from around 30 countries made their way to the film festival and a few student projects were also given their rightful stage. Bollywood’s some of the biggest names like Ramesh Sippy, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Imtiaz Ali, came to celebrate the love for cinema in a place which is often deprived of such grandeur. 

During the festival's closing ceremony, showcasing what this festival meant for the Union Territory, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “It allowed a young writer meeting a director, an aspiring filmmaker learning from a professional or two people meeting here who may one day make a film together.”

As for the awardees, Kapil Mattoo’s Tasrufdar took home Best Film in the Jammu & Kashmir Select category, while Baba Tasaduq Hussain’s Naqsh-e-Daur won Best Cinematography. On the international front, Iranian filmmaker Rasoul Sadr Ameli’s Whisper My Name was named Best Film, while Husnora Rozmatova won Best Director and Best Debut Film for The Song Sustoxin. Other honours went to Victor Brasie for Best Sound Design for Dead Dog and Belgian filmmaker Maja Ajmia Zellama for Best Editing for Têtes Brûlées.

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