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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD MAY 15, 2026 | The Indian Eye 38

Kashmir’s Big Screen Dream

Coming True Soon

The Koshur International Film Festival hopes to turn Kashmir into a global cultural hub

by giving local cinema, art and storytelling an international stage.

OUR BUREAU festivals in Goa, Kerala and Mumbai have evolved
into platforms for networking, investment and in-
Mumbai
ternational collaboration.
or decades, Kashmir has occupied a powerful Organisers of KIFF hope Kashmir can eventu-
place in India’s imagination — as a landscape ally enter that ecosystem.
Fof extraordinary beauty, political conflict and The festival is expected to bring filmmakers,
poetic memory. Now, the valley is attempting to re- writers, theatre groups and cultural organisations
claim another identity: that of a vibrant cultural and from India and abroad into the valley. For local art-
cinematic centre. ists, that interaction could prove invaluable. Kash-
The announcement of the Koshur Internation- mir has no large-scale film industry infrastructure
al Film Festival (KIFF), scheduled to be held in Sri- comparable to Mumbai, Hyderabad or Chennai.
nagar from October 10 to 12, 2026, represents more Young filmmakers often struggle with funding, ex-
than the launch of a film event. It signals an effort to posure and distribution opportunities. A festival
revive Kashmiri storytelling, reconnect local artists with international participation could help bridge
with global audiences and position the valley as a se- that gap.
rious destination for cinema and cultural exchange. The revival of cinema in Kashmir also comes
At a time when regional cinema across India at an interesting historical moment. The valley once
is gaining unprecedented attention, Kashmir too is had a thriving culture of theatres and film screen-
seeking space for its own voice. ings, but decades of violence and instability severely
The festival was formally announced during a damaged that ecosystem. Many cinema halls shut
news conference addressed by veteran theatre artist down, artistic spaces disappeared and cultural activ-
and Patron-in-Chief of the festival, MK Raina, one ities shrank under political uncertainty.
of the most respected cultural figures associated Recent years, however, have seen cautious
with Kashmiri theatre and cinema. attempts to rebuild those spaces. Film screenings,
“KIFF will serve as an important platform for theatre performances and cultural events are slowly
promoting regional cinema and encouraging young returning. KIFF appears to be part of that broader
filmmakers from Jammu and Kashmir to show- effort to restore public cultural life.
case their talent before an international audience,” The involvement of figures like MK Raina also
Raina said. gives the initiative deeper emotional resonance.
That ambition reflects a larger transformation Raina, who has spent decades promoting theatre
taking place within Indian cinema. Over the last and Kashmiri culture, represents a generation of
decade, regional films have increasingly challenged artists shaped by both the richness and trauma of
the dominance of mainstream Hindi cinema. Audi- the region’s history. His association with KIFF sug-
ences are now more willing to embrace stories root- gests the festival is not simply a commercial venture
ed in local cultures, languages and identities. From but also a cultural mission.
Malayalam cinema’s global acclaim to the rise of The challenge, of course, will be sustainability.
Marathi and Assamese filmmaking, India’s cine- Film festivals require long-term institutional sup-
matic landscape has become more decentralised port, consistent funding and international credibility
and diverse. The festival was formally announced during a news conference to survive beyond their early years. Many regional
Kashmir, despite its rich literary and artistic tra- addressed by veteran theatre artist and Patron-in-Chief of the festivals struggle after initial enthusiasm fades.
ditions, has often remained on the margins of that festival, MK Raina, one of the most respected cultural figures Yet even the attempt matters.
movement. associated with Kashmiri theatre and cinema (File photo) In a world increasingly dominated by streaming
For years, the region appeared in Indian cine- platforms and algorithm-driven entertainment, film
ma mostly as a picturesque backdrop rather than as to distribute awards, including a Best Film honour. festivals still offer something unique: a physical space
a source of authentic local storytelling. Films shot But the festival’s significance lies not merely in where culture, politics, art and identity intersect. For
in Kashmir frequently reduced the valley to sce- screenings or awards. Its real importance is symbol- Kashmir, that intersection is especially important.
nic landscapes or political symbolism, leaving little ic and economic. KIFF is ultimately about more than cinema. It
room for Kashmiri voices themselves. KIFF aims to Cinema festivals today are no longer just artis- is about who tells Kashmir’s stories, how those sto-
change that narrative by placing local filmmakers ries travel and whether the valley can reclaim its
and artists at the centre of the conversation. tic gatherings; they are cultural industries. Events place as a centre of artistic imagination rather than
such as Cannes, Busan and Toronto have demon-
The three-day festival will feature screenings of merely a subject of headlines.
feature films, documentaries and short films in local strated how film festivals can reshape cities, attract For three days in October next year, Srinagar
tourism, create creative economies and establish
languages alongside panel discussions, interactive ses- international cultural identities. Even within India, will attempt exactly that — turning the spotlight
sions and cultural programmes. Organisers also plan away from conflict and toward creativity.

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