Srinagar, September 8 (KNS): The second day of the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK-2026) on Tuesday witnessed a policy dialogue on developing a sustainable cinematic ecosystem in the Union Territory, with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo stressing the need to promote local talent, filmmaking, skill development and investment.

Participating in a panel discussion on “How the J&K Film Policy, Single-Window Clearances, and Incentives Can Build a Sustainable Local Cinematic Ecosystem”, moderated by film critic and journalist Mayank Shekhar, Dulloo highlighted various measures being undertaken by the government to facilitate filmmaking and film tourism in the region.

Dulloo said people in Jammu and Kashmir have a natural affinity towards the creative field and recalled the region’s association with the film industry during the 1970s and 1980s.

He said IFFJK provides a platform to revive those connections and channel the creative potential of local youth towards filmmaking and allied professions.

The Chief Secretary underlined the importance of developing local human resources and said the government was exploring scholarships for students interested in various aspects of filmmaking at reputed national institutions, besides partnerships with such institutions for specialised courses and training in J&K.

He also highlighted the role of the Skill Development Mission in creating training opportunities in filmmaking and related fields through local institutions.

On facilitating film production, Dulloo said procedural bottlenecks faced by filmmakers and production houses needed to be continuously removed. He stressed the need to further strengthen and simplify the Single Window Clearance System, while stating that the proposed Ease of Doing Business Bill would help create a smoother business environment.

Dulloo also called for greater focus on developing local storytelling talent, saying J&K has numerous stories that could be developed into film scripts.

“We have numerous stories here. What is required is to hone and chisel this talent and present these stories in the right form and style,” he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Commissioner Secretary, Information, R Alice Vaz, elaborated on the J&K Film Policy and the incentives available for film shootings in the Union Territory.

She said the policy was aimed not only at attracting outside productions but also at encouraging local filmmakers, artists and creative professionals, with additional benefits for regional productions and projects involving significant local participation.

Vaz highlighted incentives for films having more than 50 per cent of their shooting in J&K, besides provisions encouraging engagement of local artists and personnel.

She said increased filmmaking activity could generate employment for local talent while promoting the region’s landscapes, heritage and cultural richness to wider audiences.

The Commissioner Secretary also highlighted the close link between filmmaking and tourism, saying greater cinematic visibility could help promote destinations and generate economic opportunities for local communities.

The panel discussion brought together policy, regulatory, educational, creative and economic perspectives on the emerging film ecosystem in J&K, with participants stressing the need to move beyond facilitating individual film shoots and develop an ecosystem capable of nurturing local talent and attracting national and international productions.

The second day of IFFJK-2026 also featured a masterclass by filmmaker Sriram Raghavan on directing romantic comedies and an in-conversation session with cinematographer Anil Mehta on framing, lighting and visual storytelling.

Four panel discussions were also held on regional art forms and emerging technologies, independent cinema and curation, and the creative and collaborative processes involved in acting.

The festival's second-day programme brought together cinema, policy, technology, education, creative talent and tourism, with discussions focusing on expanding J&K’s participation in the national and global cinematic landscape.(KNS)