SRINAGAR: Preparations are underway for the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), scheduled from September 7 to 10. The administration is focusing on arranging comprehensive tourism, sightseeing, and hospitality services for national and international delegates attending the event.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, presided over a meeting on Monday to assess the arrangements for the festival. The event, organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations, J&K, aims to foster cinematic excellence, cultural exchange, and collaboration within the film industry.
During the review meeting, the festival’s programme, objectives, and the necessary coordination among various government departments and stakeholders were discussed. Shreya Singhal, Director Information and Public Relations, presented the festival’s vision, emphasizing its role in showcasing emerging filmmaking talent and engaging with the international film industry. The festival agenda includes opening and closing ceremonies, film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, jury interactions, film tourism initiatives, and networking opportunities, with special sessions for students and young filmmakers.
Divisional Commissioner Garg instructed all relevant departments to appoint nodal officers to ensure effective inter-departmental coordination. He also directed the Director Information and Public Relations to develop a detailed work plan for the event manager and participating departments, outlining their respective roles, responsibilities, and timelines.
Highlighting Kashmir’s significant tourism potential and its growing appeal as an emerging destination, Garg urged the Tourism Department to undertake targeted branding efforts for new tourist locations. The aim is to attract filmmakers and international visitors to these areas. He also emphasized the need for appropriate branding of the shikaras and boats that will be utilized during the festival.
The Divisional Commissioner stressed the importance of integrating cultural programmes into the festival’s itinerary and showcasing Kashmir’s rich handloom and handicraft products at designated venues. Furthermore, he directed officials to curate food menus that cater to the preferences of both national and international guests. Arrangements for bilingual service providers through outsourced agencies were also discussed to facilitate communication with delegates.
Plans for heritage tours to locations identified by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) and the Handicrafts and Handloom Department were also reviewed. The meeting included discussions on customized tour packages, sightseeing programmes, and transportation logistics for the festival guests. Officials from various departments, including the Airport Authority, Srinagar and Baramulla district administrations, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Floriculture, Power Development Corporation Limited, Transport, Health, Lakes Conservation and Management Authority, J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Handicrafts and Handloom, Hospitality and Protocol, Education, and the Police department, were given specific directives regarding their roles.
Attendees at the meeting included the Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Baramulla, Commissioner SMC, Director Information and Public Relations J&K, Director Floriculture, Director Airport, Managing Director KPDCL, Vice Chairman LCMA, Joint Director Information Headquarters, Joint Director Information Kashmir, and senior officials from the Information Department and other allied departments.
The Chenab Times News Desk