The International Film Festival of Srinagar (TIFFS) culminates amid award ceremony, fanfare

Srinagar, October 30,2022: The first edition of the two-day long The International Film Festival of Srinagar (TIFFS) organised by Roots In Fateh Kadal Entertainment (RIFK) and Vomedh in Srinagar culminated here today amid distribution of awards in international and native category, huge fanfare and enthusiasm among the local artist fraternity.

The second day saw special prayers and tributes to veteran artist Rashid Shahnaz who has acted in the film Nakh which was also screened during the event.

The festival which introduced the first ever Red-Carpet welcome to local artists of Kashmir began on October 29 in which 33 short films, documentaries and music videos were screened which were shortlisted by the jury among over a hundred entries from 10 countries.

While 18 short films, music videos and documentaries were from Jammu and Kashmir 15 short films and documentaries were from international category which were selected by the jury consisting of Iranian filmmaker Ali Mohammad Eghbaldar, Content consultant and critic, Amit Singh from Mumbai and playwright and director Rakesh Roshan Bhat.

Bharat Singh Manhas, Secretary Cultural Academy was the chief guest on day second while Afaaq Gadda and Shabir Mujahid were the guests of honour.

The first day witnessed screening of international entries while the day two was dedicated to the native category with the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Mr. P.K. Pole as the chief guest on the occasion.

The second day saw huge enthusiasm among the local artist fraternity as the day was dedicated to native category in which local films, music videos and documentaries were screened where hundreds of local artists and people participated.

The event concluded with award ceremony for the winners which include; International Category , Best Short film ‘Silent’ from Pakistan, Best Documentary Bhumchu-The drop of eternal light, Best Director Short film, The Little Riddle; Native Category; Special screening full length movie Habba Khatoon directed by Ayaash Aarif, Best Short film Khalil, Best Documentary Diminishing Craft, Nakh special mention, Special appreciation award posthumously to actor Rashid Shahnaz (Nakh), special mention short film Hijr, special mention short film Enchanted Phiran, special mention short film Andhera Ujala. Music Native Category; Best music video Zard, Special mention music video Hindi song Ishq Nama, promising singer for music video Zard Rasiq Imtiyaz Khan, Best direction Zard, promising lyricist Reham Agha Sayed, special mention Reham Kha ke.

Speaking on the concluding day Festival Director Rohit Bhat said that it was a moment of pride for him to witness so much enthusiasm among the artist fraternity in Kashmir adding it was the aim of RIFK and Vomedh to provide an international platform to the local film makers and artists not only to expose them to international standards in film making but also to compete with them which will go a long way to strengthen the filmmaking in Kashmir
and encourage the local talent.

Festival Co-Director Rakesh Roshan Bhat thanked the widespread support from the local artistic fraternity and the general public for the event and assured that the second edition of the TIFFS will be organised in much grander scale and with more variety.

Ashok Kumar Saraf, the advisor of TIFFS first edition was hopeful that such events will surely prove a boon for the local talent to explore possibilities at international level adding RIFK and Vomedh were doing a commendable job in highlighting the Kashmiri talent at international platforms.

He said that by this event he also got a ray of hope (Vomedh) for the future adding some day he hopes to go to his native place to live.

The event is co-powered by Asha Saraf Charitable Trust. The supporters include Space Communications, Hemath, Asha Foundation, Genuine Advertising and Marketing, Samavar, Atlas Event Management, Moonlight Shawls and Jannat Event Management.

Trophies and certificates were also distributed which include; Sayed Siyan Dancer, Mehar Khanum dancer, Swanzal Art and Cultural Group, Pamposh Folk Baand Theatre.

Sponsors Moonlight Shawls, Samavar, Genuine Advertising and Marketing, Janat Event Management, Atlas Events, Voice of the event FM Tadka, Space Communications, Asha the Care foundation, Hemath, Mrs. Asha Saraf and Ashok Kumar Saraf Charitable Trust.

The whole event was hosted by Rashid Nizami.

The backstage was managed by Vomedh Team Bharti Koul, Suman, Priya Khar, Zafar, King C Bharati, Khursheed Mir, Farat Siddiqi, Gulfam Barjee, Balbir Singh, Zara and Sehzad Shabeer.