Jammu Film Festival (JFF) – 5th Edition Announcement
Jammu, May 4, 2026 The 5th Edition of the Jammu Film Festival (JFF) was formally announced today at a press conference in Press Club, Jammu, marking a significant milestone in the region’s cultural and cinematic journey. What began as a passionate initiative has now evolved into a sustained movement, with JFF completing five editions and, together with The International Film Festival of Srinagar (TIFFS), reaching a remarkable milestone of nine film festival editions in Jammu & Kashmir. This achievement stands as a strong response to early skepticism that the initiative might be a “one-edition wonder.”
Over the years, JFF has steadily built its reputation as a credible and growing international platform for cinema, attracting participation from filmmakers across India and abroad. Previous editions have witnessed the presence and participation of noted film personalities such as M. K. Raina, Rahul Roy, Yashpal Sharma, Kashmera Shah, Ayub Khan and several others, adding stature and visibility to the festival. The 4th edition, which was a joint edition of JFF and TIFFS, was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, in a grand function held at Aquaplex Crown, Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu—further underscoring the festival’s growing prominence.
Announcing the upcoming edition, Festival Director Rakesh Roshan Bhat expressed gratitude to all stakeholders:
“This journey has been driven by belief, perseverance, and the support of countless individuals and organizations. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to making JFF a meaningful platform for cinema. This milestone belongs to the entire creative community.”
A special highlight of this edition will be the ₹1 Lakh Award for Best Local Production, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to nurturing regional talent while maintaining its international outlook. Festival Director Rohit Bhat revealed this in the interaction with media – “With the 5th edition, we are taking a significant step towards encouraging regional storytelling by instituting a ₹1 Lakh Award for Best Local Production. Our aim is to empower filmmakers from Jammu & Kashmir and provide them a strong platform to showcase their work.”
Festival Advisor Dr. Amit Wanchoo noted:
“Jammu Film Festival has matured into a credible platform that nurtures meaningful cinema. Its consistent growth reflects the dedication of the organizers and the increasing interest in quality storytelling.”
The festival is presented by Vomedh in association with The Avanti Foundation. Speaking on behalf of the co-presenter, Sanjeev Kak said:
“We are delighted to be associated with international film festivals like JFF and TIFFS in Jammu & Kashmir through Vomedh. These platforms play a crucial role in bringing global cinema closer to audiences here while promoting local talent.”
The 5th Edition of Jammu Film Festival will be held on 28th and 29th September 2026 in Jammu.
Advisor to Vomedh, Bhavna Pandita emphasized:
“Vomedh remains committed to the promotion of art and culture. Through initiatives like JFF, we aim to create meaningful cultural engagement and opportunities for artists and filmmakers.”
Senior actor and emcee Kusum Tikoo, who has been part of the journey since its inception, shared: “It is truly satisfying to see how these platforms have grown over the years. From the first edition to now, JFF and TIFFS have become important cultural milestones in the region.”
The festival will feature screenings, interactions, and curated cinematic experiences, with participation expected from filmmakers across India and internationally. Submissions for the festival will open from 6th May 2026 and can be made online through FilmFreeway.
The press conference announcing the festival was attended by prominent members of the cultural and media fraternity including Kusum Tikoo, Bindhya Raina, Bharti Kaul (Vice President, Vomedh), King C Bharti (Editor-in-Chief, Vitasta Herald), Kamaksha Dogra, Suman Bhat, Gulfam Barjee and Sanjeev Kak (The Avanti Foundation).
With a strong foundation and a clear vision, the Jammu Film Festival continues its journey of celebrating cinematic excellence and stories without borders, while creating meaningful opportunities for filmmakers and strengthening the cultural fabric of Jammu & Kashmir.
Issued by:
Sushma kumari
Publicity sec
Vomedh
(Organizers – Jammu Film Festival)
