Srinagar, Sep 6: The primary Worldwide Movie Pageant of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026 is about to witness the approaching collectively of an distinctive panel of filmmakers, cinematographers, sound designers, curators, producers, and educators from throughout the nation and overseas, reflecting the competition’s dedication to showcasing cinema of the best creative and inventive requirements.
The competition may also convey collectively Padma Shri awardee Director and Producer, Ramesh Sippy, recognized for blockbuster film Sholay in addition to son of the soil, director, producer, screenwriter and editor, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, recognized for movies like 3 Idiots, PK, Mission Kashmir, as particular friends.
The maiden version of IFFJK has introduced an eminent jury comprising Santosh Sivan, Dorothee Wenner, Keiko Bang and Himansu Sekhar Khatua collectively, professionals whose distinguished careers span Indian and worldwide cinema, documentary filmmaking, movie curation, manufacturing, cinematography, sound design and movie training.
The composition of the jury brings collectively various cinematic views and appreciable worldwide expertise, including status and credibility to the primary version of the competition.
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 many most awarded Administrators of Pictures in India, he grew to become the primary cinematographer from the Asia-Pacific area to affix the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
His celebrated physique of labor consists of The Terrorist, for which he acquired worldwide recognition, and his contribution to world cinema was additional acknowledged with the Pierre Angénieux Tribute on the Cannes Movie Pageant in 2024.
Sivan has additionally served in a number of prestigious worldwide jury capacities, together with as Chairperson of the Finest Debut Director of Indian Panorama Jury at IFFI 2024, moreover serving on the Worldwide Jury of the Chennai Movie Pageant and the New Currents Jury on the Busan Worldwide Movie Pageant.
DOROTHEE WENNER
Including a powerful worldwide and cross-cultural dimension to the jury is DorotheeWenner, a German filmmaker, curator, author and journalist famend for her contribution to worldwide cinema and cultural change.
Related to the Berlin Worldwide Movie Pageant since 1990, Wenner has served as a programmer and delegate for India and Sub-Saharan Africa. She was additionally related to the Berlinale Expertise Campus, serving as its Director for the 2006 and 2008 editions.
A founding jury member of the Africa Film Academy Awards and an skilled worldwide movie curator, Wenner has labored extensively with characteristic movies and filmmakers from India, Africa and Germany.
Her filmmaking and curatorial work consists of Peace Mission, Drama Seek the advice of and Kinshasa Assortment. She is broadly recognised for constructing cross-cultural collaborations and championing rising voices in world cinema.
KEIKO BANG
Keiko Bang, a Japanese media entrepreneur, documentary filmmaker, producer and worldwide curator, brings greater than three many years of expertise within the international media business to IFFJK.
As founder and CEO of Bang Singapore Pte. Ltd., she has produced greater than 50 award-winning documentaries, together with Zheng He: Emperor of the Seas, Guge: The Misplaced Kingdom of Tibet and Secrets and techniques of the Samurai.
A number one advocate of worldwide co-productions throughout Asia, Bang has labored with governments, broadcasters and media organisations in additional than 25 international locations. Her in depth expertise in documentary manufacturing, worldwide programming and movie curation has seen her serve on juries and choice committees of main worldwide movie festivals.
She served as a Jury Member at MIFF 2024 and was appointed to the Institutional Nationwide Choice Committee at MIFF 2026. She has additionally served as a main coordinator and choice chief for the premier factual programming discussion board of Asian Aspect of Doc.
SRIRAM RAGHAVAN
SriramRaghavan is an acclaimed Indian filmmaker and screenwriter recognized for his distinctive neo-noir type and gripping motion thrillers. Born on 22 June 1963, he has directed critically acclaimed movies together with EkHasinaThi, Johnny Gaddaar, Agent Vinod, Badlapur and Andhadhun.
Famend for his sharp storytelling, atmospheric visuals and complicated characters, Raghavan is thought to be one of many main auteurs of latest Hindi cinema.
HIMANSU SEKHAR KHATUA
Finishing the distinguished panel is Himansu Sekhar Khatua, a Nationwide Movie Award-winning filmmaker, director, educator and journalist with a powerful file of contribution to Indian cinema and movie training.
An alumnus of FTII, Pune, Khatua has directed acclaimed movies together with ShunyaSwaropa and Ishanu, moreover a number of award-winning regional productions. He has additionally served as college member and mentor, influencing successive generations of filmmakers via instructing and sensible engagement.
Khatua has served as Director of Satyajit Ray Movie and Tv Institute (SRFTI) and has beforehand been related to prestigious movie juries, together with the Indian Panorama Function Movies Jury at IFFI 2024 and the Kautik Worldwide Movie Pageant 2021, the place he served on the Options Award Jury.
The eminent Jury of acclaimed filmmakers and cinema professionals displays the worldwide spirit of 1st IFFJK.
The variety and stature of the proposed jury underline the imaginative and prescient behind the primary Worldwide Movie Pageant of Jammu and Kashmir, which seeks to create a significant platform for cinematic excellence, cultural dialogue and worldwide change.
With experience starting from cinematography and sound design to documentary filmmaking, movie curation, manufacturing, path and training, the jury represents a number of dimensions of latest cinema.
Their collective expertise throughout prestigious movie festivals and worldwide establishments is anticipated to convey nuanced, unbiased and globally knowledgeable views to the analysis of movies at IFFJK.
The presence of such distinguished cinematic personalities can be anticipated to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s emergence as a vibrant vacation spot for filmmakers, artists, storytellers and cinephiles from throughout India and the world.
The first Worldwide Movie Pageant of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), being organised by the Division of Data and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir, is envisioned as a landmark cultural initiative that celebrates the common language of cinema whereas offering a platform for established in addition to rising filmmakers to attach, collaborate and share their tales with a wider viewers.
With an achieved jury, a various cinematic programme and participation from the broader movie neighborhood, IFFJK 2026 is poised to mark a big new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s cinematic journey.
