JKCA announces J&K’s first Tawi Filmotsva

Cash prizes await toppers in various categories

Jammu, Feb 17: The Jammu Kashmir Cine Association (JKCA) has officially announced its latest initiative, a landmark cultural event titled “Tawi Filmotsva-2025.” This will be the first-ever mega short-film festival in Jammu and Kashmir, designed as a competitive platform with substantial cash prizes for the winners.

At a press conference held today, JKCA President Dharminder Kohli highlighted the association’s achievements since its inception last year. Over the past year, JKCA has organized multiple functions, including recognition awards for prominent luminaries of the Union Territory and tributes to legends across various fields of art and culture.

“This time, we are taking a step further by organizing a short film festival on a larger scale. The festival will invite short films from all over Jammu and Kashmir, which will be judged by a top-tier jury. Winners in different categories will be awarded significant cash prizes,” Kohli stated.

Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages have very benevolently agreed to be in collaboration with Tawi Filmotsva-2025.

The association has already initiated talks with the Raj Bhavan, hoping to have His Excellency, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, grace the event as the Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, JKCA Vice President Kusum Tikoo emphasized that this initiative marks a pioneering effort in the region by offering cash rewards to winners. She expressed confidence that the festival would attract a large number of participants, setting a new benchmark for cultural and artistic expression in the UT.

The prize structure includes a cash reward of Rs 10,000 for the top winner, followed by Rs 7,000 for the first runner-up and Rs 5,000 for the second runner-up. Apart from these main prizes, several other cash awards will be distributed across various categories to make the festival a truly unique and competitive event. The grand festival is scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 23, at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu.

Further elaborating on the logistics, Kohli announced that the deadline for film submissions is March 15. Interested participants can visit the JKCA Facebook page and follow the provided link (https://leewardgraphics.com/jkcine/) to submit their entries. The entry fee for each short film submission is Rs 500, and participants are allowed to submit multiple entries.

A distinguished panel of judges, appointed by JKCA, will evaluate all submissions. Their final decisions will be binding, with no objections entertained at any stage. The results will be declared on the same day, ensuring a transparent and exciting conclusion to the festival.

JKCA’s initiative aims to provide a dynamic platform for filmmakers, artists, and creative professionals in Jammu and Kashmir to showcase their talent. By hosting a festival of this scale, the association aspires to encourage emerging talent while simultaneously promoting the region’s rich cultural heritage through the medium of cinema.

With Tawi Filmotsva-2025, JKCA is set to carve a niche in the cinematic landscape of the Union Territory, fostering artistic innovation and engagement. The festival promises to be a grand celebration of creativity, talent, and storytelling, setting new milestones in the realm of regional cinema.