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Acclaimed filmmaker Imtiaz Ali delivered an inspiring message at the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 in Srinagar, encouraging young Kashmiris to pursue filmmaking and share authentic local stories with the world.Ali stressed the importance of cinema literacy, developing a strong local film industry, and creating regional cinema capable of competing on the international stage. He also pledged his full support to aspiring filmmakers, saying he would be ready to help "in every way."Watch the full highlights from IFFJK 2026 and hear why Imtiaz Ali believes Kashmir's stories deserve a global audience.Topics Covered:Imtiaz Ali latest speech
IFFJK 2026 highlights
Kashmir film industry
Kashmiri filmmakers
Cinema in Jammu & Kashmir
Regional cinema
Indian cinema news
Bollywood updates
Transcript
00:00Kashmir is the jewel in the crown of the country.
00:03Kashmir is a place of the highest beauty and the highest talent.
00:07Kashmiris should remember that they should always bring about the best
00:12when it comes out from themselves to the world.
00:16I know that a lot of film shooting has already happened
00:19and a lot of Kashmiri people have involved themselves with the shootings in films.
00:24However, this is not even the tip of the iceberg from what I have seen.
00:28I would encourage the government and I'm very encouraged actually myself
00:33by the speech of the Honorable Chief Minister
00:38because he said that he's looking forward.
00:41He's told his departments to actually make it easier, cheaper, better
00:45for filmmakers like myself and Sajid and Harvard to shoot over here
00:49and I'm very thankful to him.
00:52I think that is a step forward.
00:54I would also encourage people from Kashmir to participate.
00:58because it can become a symbiotic relationship and can take...
01:02When we come over here, we rely upon people like Harvard who are local.
01:06So I will want that local participation with cinema
01:10because you know about Kashmir what we don't know.
01:12When we come, you can guide us.
01:14And you can guide us when you also know a little bit about cinema.
01:18So to become cinema literate for Kashmiris is also extremely important.
01:30But as much films we can shoot here, there's a lot of potential.
01:35We haven't seen anything which Kashmir has to offer.
01:38So this is what I would like to say.
01:38This is what I would like to say.
01:41This is what I would like to say.
02:06Because in Kashmir, there is a very special place in Kashmir.
02:11Every person has a smile on the face of Kashmir.
02:16Your cinema should also be the same as that level.
02:19So, you don't need to make it enough Kashmir.
02:23You need to make it good.
02:25How much of the international film festival can be made in Kashmir?
02:31If this international film festival, with the help of Kashmiri people and the government and the Almighty,
02:42if this film festival can go to good festivals,
02:48if it's a good team and it's good,
02:52it can be very high in Kashmir.
02:58Because Kashmiri youth and Kashmiri people,
03:02when there will be interaction, they will also be inspired.
03:05When the international film makers come here,
03:09they will also watch Kashmir,
03:10they will also listen to Kashmir,
03:11they will also listen to Kashmir.
03:13They will also make a film.
03:26So I think the international film festival is a very nice initiative.
03:30I would request the government to look at it in the highest and the most aesthetic fashion
03:35and place it among the best film festivals in the world.
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