Suhail Bhat
MUMBAI Oct 14 : The National Film Development Corporation Limited (NFDC) is set to organize a major film festival in Srinagar as part of its broader plan to promote Jammu and Kashmir as a leading film destination in India.
The festival, being planned in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Information and Public Relations Department, aims to showcase regional talent, attract filmmakers from across the country, and highlight the Union Territory’s scenic beauty as a cinematic hub.
Speaking to journalists from Jammu and Kashmir during their visit to the NFDC headquarters in Mumbai as part of the PIB’s media outreach programme, NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum said preparations for the Srinagar film festival are underway. “We are hopeful of holding it within a year. The festival will not only celebrate cinema but also open new opportunities for local artists, technicians, and storytellers,” Magdum said.
He added that the NFDC is working to strengthen the connection between cinema and tourism by showcasing new and unexplored filming locations across Jammu and Kashmir. “Two months ago, we held a meeting in Srinagar with tourism secretaries from all states. Kashmir’s landscape is unique, and we want to highlight it as a preferred shooting destination,” he said.
To simplify filmmaking processes, Magdum said the NFDC has developed India Cine Hub (ICH), a single-window online portal for obtaining all filming permissions from government departments. “Filmmakers can now secure approvals through one platform, with each department having a nodal officer to assist producers,” he said.
The NFDC also offers up to 40% financial incentives for domestic and international productions shot in India, particularly those highlighting Indian locations and stories. “If a film is shot in a lesser-known place in Kashmir, it can help attract tourism and generate economic activity there,” Magdum said.
Alongside the upcoming festival, the NFDC plans to launch a series of film training programmes in Jammu and Kashmir. The corporation has already conducted nearly 20 film-related courses in partnership with local universities.
He added that the NFDC will also develop a database of local actors, technicians, and equipment providers to help production houses hire talent locally. “The first thing Jammu and Kashmir should do is update the details of its artists on the website so that filmmakers intending to shoot in the region can pick from the available talent pool,” he said, adding that this would improve their livelihood opportunities.
Magdum said the Srinagar film festival and related initiatives are part of the NFDC’s broader mandate to promote regional cinema, preserve film heritage, and position Indian cinema globally. “Our goal is to take Indian cinema beyond Mumbai and make every region, including Jammu and Kashmir, an active participant in the country’s filmmaking journey,” he said.
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