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- Prominent filmmakers Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Ramesh Sippy to join as special guests
SRINAGAR: The 1st International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK)–2026 is set to witness the coming together of an exceptional panel of filmmakers, cinematographers, sound designers, curators, producers and educators from India and abroad, reflecting the festival’s commitment to showcasing cinema of the highest artistic and creative standards.
The festival will also bring together Padma Shri awardee Director and Producer, Ramesh Sippy, known for blockbuster movie Sholay as well as son of the soil, director, producer, screenwriter and editor, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, known for films like 3 Idiots, PK, Mission Kashmir , as special guests.
The maiden edition of IFFJK has brought an eminent jury comprising Santosh Sivan, Dorothee Wenner, Keiko Bang and Himansu Sekhar Khatua together, professionals whose distinguished careers span Indian and international cinema, documentary filmmaking, film curation, production, cinematography, sound design and film education.
The composition of the jury brings together diverse cinematic perspectives and considerable international experience, adding prestige and credibility to the first edition of the festival.
Santosh Sivan
An acclaimed Indian cinematographer, filmmaker, producer and actor, Santosh Sivan is a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC). An FTII alumnus and among the most awarded Directors of Photography in India, he became the first cinematographer from the Asia-Pacific region to join the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
His celebrated body of work includes The Terrorist, for which he received international recognition, and his contribution to world cinema was further acknowledged with the Pierre Angénieux Tribute at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024.
Sivan has also served in several prestigious international jury capacities, including as Chairperson of the Best Debut Director of Indian Panorama Jury at IFFI 2024, besides serving on the International Jury of the Chennai Film Festival and the New Currents Jury at the Busan International Film Festival.
Dorothee Wenner
Adding a strong international and cross-cultural dimension to the jury is Dorothee Wenner, a German filmmaker, curator, writer and journalist renowned for her contribution to international cinema and cultural exchange.
Associated with the Berlin International Film Festival since 1990, Wenner has served as a programmer and delegate for India and Sub-Saharan Africa. She was also associated with the Berlinale Talent Campus, serving as its Director for the 2006 and 2008 editions.
A founding jury member of the Africa Movie Academy Awards and an experienced international film curator, Wenner has worked extensively with feature films and filmmakers from India, Africa and Germany. Her filmmaking and curatorial work includes Peace Mission, Drama Consult and Kinshasa Collection. She is widely recognised for building cross-cultural collaborations and championing emerging voices in world cinema.
Keiko Bang
Keiko Bang, a Japanese media entrepreneur, documentary filmmaker, producer and international curator, brings more than three decades of experience in the global media industry to IFFJK.
As founder and CEO of Bang Singapore Pte. Ltd., she has produced more than 50 award-winning documentaries, including Zheng He: Emperor of the Seas, Guge: The Lost Kingdom of Tibet and Secrets of the Samurai.
A leading advocate of international co-productions across Asia, Bang has worked with governments, broadcasters and media organisations in more than 25 countries. Her extensive experience in documentary production, international programming and film curation has seen her serve on juries and selection committees of major international film festivals.
She served as a Jury Member at MIFF 2024 and was appointed to the Institutional National Selection Committee at MIFF 2026. She has also served as a primary coordinator and selection leader for the premier factual programming forum of Asian Side of Doc.
Sriram Raghavan
Sriram Raghavan is an acclaimed Indian filmmaker and screenwriter known for his distinctive neo-noir style and gripping action thrillers. Born on 22 June 1963, he has directed critically acclaimed films including Ek Hasina Thi, Johnny Gaddaar, Agent Vinod, Badlapur and Andhadhun. Renowned for his sharp storytelling, atmospheric visuals and complex characters, Raghavan is regarded as one of the leading auteurs of contemporary Hindi cinema.
Himansu Sekhar Khatua
Completing the distinguished panel is Himansu Sekhar Khatua, a National Film Award-winning filmmaker, director, educator and journalist with a strong record of contribution to Indian cinema and film education.
An alumnus of FTII, Pune, Khatua has directed acclaimed films including Shunya Swaropa and Ishanu, besides several award-winning regional productions. He has also served as faculty member and mentor, influencing successive generations of filmmakers through teaching and practical engagement.
Khatua has served as Director of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and has previously been associated with prestigious film juries, including the Indian Panorama Feature Films Jury at IFFI 2024 and the Kautik International Film Festival 2021, where he served on the Features Award Jury.
The eminent Jury of acclaimed filmmakers and cinema professionals reflects the global spirit of 1st IFFJK. The diversity and stature of the proposed jury underline the vision behind the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, which seeks to create a meaningful platform for cinematic excellence, cultural dialogue and international exchange.
With expertise ranging from cinematography and sound design to documentary filmmaking, film curation, production, direction and education, the jury represents multiple dimensions of contemporary cinema. Their collective experience across prestigious film festivals and international institutions is expected to bring nuanced, independent and globally informed perspectives to the evaluation of films at IFFJK.
The presence of such distinguished cinematic personalities is also expected to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s emergence as a vibrant destination for filmmakers, artists, storytellers and cinephiles from across India and the world.
The 1st International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), being organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir, is envisioned as a landmark cultural initiative that celebrates the universal language of cinema while providing a platform for established as well as emerging filmmakers to connect, collaborate and share their stories with a wider audience.
With an accomplished jury, a diverse cinematic programme and participation from the wider film community, IFFJK 2026 is poised to mark a significant new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s cinematic journey.
