Srinagar : A delegation of the Kashmir Film & Television Association (KFTA) on Monday called on Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq and raised concerns over the alleged exclusion of local filmmakers, artists and technicians from a recently held government-sponsored international film festival.
The delegation, led by KFTA Chairman and Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF) Founder-Director Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan, included members of the KWFF management committee and representatives of the local film fraternity.
During the meeting, the delegation alleged that indigenous filmmakers and other film professionals were neither adequately consulted nor meaningfully involved in the planning and execution of the government-sponsored festival, despite public expenditure on the event.
The delegation argued that international film festivals require professional expertise and sustained engagement with the local filmmaking community and urged that future such events be planned and managed with greater participation of local filmmakers, artists and technicians.
It also submitted a memorandum seeking intervention in taking up the concerns with the appropriate authorities.
Among its demands, the KFTA sought transparency regarding expenditure incurred on the recent festival, institutional support for established local platforms such as KWFF, and professional management of future international film festivals in Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegation also objected to the description of the recent government-sponsored event as the “first-ever” international film festival of J&K, stating that KWFF was launched in Srinagar in 2017 and had completed five editions.
The delegation highlighted Khan’s contribution to promoting film culture in J&K, including organising multiple editions of KWFF and the J&K International Film Festival in Pune in 2022. It also recalled efforts by local film enthusiasts to sustain cinema-related cultural activity in Kashmir when reopening cinemas appeared difficult during 2017-18.
The KFTA said KWFF had sought to promote Kashmir on the international cinematic map while providing opportunities and exposure to local filmmakers and young talent.
