Joint Edition of the Jammu & Srinagar Film Festival – A Global Celebration of Cinema

Jammu, October 14: In a historic press conference today, Vomedh, the organizers behind two of Jammu & Kashmir’s most prestigious film festivals – the Jammu Film Festival (JFF) and The International Film Festival of Srinagar (TIFFS) – announced a groundbreaking joint edition of these events. This highly anticipated festival, set to take place from 20th to 23rd November 2024 across Jammu and Srinagar, is shaping up to be the biggest celebration of cinema in the region, with a truly international lineup of films.

Vomedh, a non-profit organization known for its exceptional contributions to the fields of art, culture, and theatre in Jammu & Kashmir, has successfully organized three editions of JFF and two editions of TIFFS in the past. Founded by cultural activists and brothers, Rakesh Roshan Bhat and Rohit Bhat, Vomedh has become a beacon for promoting art and culture in the region.

From the presence of Bollywood celebrities to high-profile dignitaries like the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, previous editions of these festivals have brought significant attention to the region. Vomedh’s steadfast vision to place Jammu & Kashmir on the global cultural map is more alive than ever, with this joint edition marking a major milestone in their journey.

After receiving an overwhelming 400 film entries from 50 countries, a highly esteemed jury has selected 78 films from 29 countries for screening. The breakdown of selections includes: 59 Short Films, 14 Documentaries and 5 Feature Films

The festival will commence with a grand opening in Jammu on 20th November 2024, with screenings across both cities: Jammu Screenings: 20th – 22nd November; Srinagar Screenings & Grand Finale: 22nd – 23rd November at Tagore Hall, Srinagar. The festival will culminate with a closing ceremony on 23rd November 2024, celebrating the best of global and regional cinema.

This edition of the festival is dedicated to the late Mushtaq Kak, a renowned theatre director, actor, and long-time jury member of both JFF and TIFFS. Mushtaq Kak’s career spanned decades, during which he earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Known for his impactful work in theatre and film, Kak’s legacy continues to inspire generations of artists. His absence is deeply felt, and this festival will honor his monumental contributions to the arts.

Rohit Bhat, Festival Director, expressed his excitement over the unprecedented global response to this year’s festival: “The incredible volume of submissions from across the world affirms that Jammu & Kashmir is now firmly on the map as a significant player in the global film festival circuit. This joint edition of JFF and TIFFS promises to be our most diverse and celebrated festival yet, reflecting the power of cinema to transcend borders and unite cultures.”

Sanjay Saraf, a prominent social and political figure and Advisor of the festival highlighted the importance of government support in the continued success of the festival: “We are hopeful that the government will recognize the cultural significance of this initiative, which has successfully established Jammu and Srinagar as global centers for art and cinema. We look forward to the state’s support in nurturing this platform that brings together filmmakers, artists, and audiences from across the globe.”

Manzoor Ahmad Mir, Renowned Director, spoke passionately about the unifying power of art: “Art and culture have always transcended boundaries of region, religion, or race. This film festival is a testament to the way storytelling can bring people together, and I am proud to be a part of this celebration.”Lalit Parimoo, Renowned Actor, and Rahul Sharma, Director, both key jury members, paid heartfelt tributes to Mushtaq Kak:”Mushtaq Kak was an iconic figure whose wisdom and vision shaped this festival. We dedicate this year’s event to his memory, as a humble tribute to the invaluable role he played in nurturing the arts in Jammu & Kashmir.”

The press conference was graced by several notable figures who are integral to the success of this festival. These included: Deepak Koul, Manager of Legends League, Farhad Siddique, Actor & Director, Gulfam Barji, Zafer Dar, and Aijaz Ahmad, all prominent theatre, cinema and social figures. Additionally, Bharti Kaul, Vice President of Vomedh, along with Rakesh Roshan Bhat, Mentor of Vomedh and Festival Co-Director, wished the festival tremendous success and encouraged the youth to actively participate in this celebration of cinematic excellence.

Renowned anchors Bindiya Tickoo and Kusum Tickoo will bring their dynamic presence to the festival, hosting the event over its five-day span across Jammu and Srinagar.

Entry to the festival is free at both Jammu and Srinagar.