SRINAGAR, Sep 6: The inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026 is set to convene a distinguished panel of filmmakers and cinema professionals from India and abroad. The event aims to showcase cinema of the highest artistic and creative standards.
The Chenab Times has learned that the festival will feature prominent figures such as Padma Shri awardee Director and Producer Ramesh Sippy, renowned for the iconic film ‘Sholay’, and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, a director, producer, screenwriter, and editor with a celebrated career including films like ‘3 Idiots’, ‘PK’, and ‘Mission Kashmir’. Both will be special guests at the maiden edition.
The festival’s jury for its first edition comprises Santosh Sivan, Dorothee Wenner, Keiko Bang, and Himansu Sekhar Khatua. These professionals bring extensive experience across Indian and international cinema, documentary filmmaking, film curation, production, cinematography, sound design, and film education. Their diverse perspectives and considerable international experience are expected to lend prestige and credibility to IFFJK.
Santosh Sivan, an acclaimed Indian cinematographer, filmmaker, producer, and actor, is a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC). An alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), he is one of India’s most awarded Directors of Photography and the first cinematographer from the Asia-Pacific region to join the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). Sivan’s notable works include ‘The Terrorist’, which garnered international acclaim, and he was honored with the Pierre Angénieux Tribute at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. He has also served on several international juries, including as Chairperson of the Best Debut Director of Indian Panorama Jury at IFFI 2024.
Dorothee Wenner, a German filmmaker, curator, writer, and journalist, brings a strong international and cross-cultural dimension to the jury. Associated with the Berlin International Film Festival since 1990, she served as a programmer and delegate for India and Sub-Saharan Africa, and as Director of the Berlinale Talent Campus in 2006 and 2008. Wenner is a founding jury member of the Africa Movie Academy Awards and has extensively worked with filmmakers from India, Africa, and Germany, fostering cross-cultural collaborations and championing emerging cinematic voices.
Keiko Bang, a Japanese media entrepreneur, documentary filmmaker, producer, and international curator, brings over three decades of experience in the global media industry. As the founder and CEO of Bang Singapore Pte. Ltd., she has produced more than 50 award-winning documentaries. Bang is a leading advocate for international co-productions across Asia and has worked with governments, broadcasters, and media organizations in over 25 countries. Her experience includes serving on juries and selection committees for major international film festivals.
Sriram Raghavan, an acclaimed Indian filmmaker and screenwriter, is known for his neo-noir style and action thrillers, including ‘Ek Hasina Thi’, ‘Johnny Gaddaar’, ‘Agent Vinod’, ‘Badlapur’, and ‘Andhadhun’. He is regarded as a leading auteur of contemporary Hindi cinema for his sharp storytelling and complex characters.
Himansu Sekhar Khatua, a National Film Award-winning filmmaker, director, educator, and journalist, completes the jury. An FTII alumnus, Khatua has directed acclaimed films such as ‘Shunya Swaropa’ and ‘Ishanu’. He has also served as faculty and mentor at film institutions and previously held the position of Director of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). Khatua has been part of prestigious film juries, including at IFFI 2024.
The collective expertise of the jury members spans multiple facets of contemporary cinema, from cinematography and sound design to documentary filmmaking, curation, production, direction, and education. Their experience with renowned film festivals and international institutions is expected to provide nuanced and globally informed perspectives for the film evaluations at IFFJK.
The presence of these distinguished cinematic personalities is also anticipated to bolster Jammu and Kashmir’s profile as a destination for filmmakers, artists, and cinephiles. The 1st International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir, is envisioned as a significant cultural initiative celebrating cinema and providing a platform for filmmakers to connect and share their stories.
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The Chenab Times News Desk