IFFJK turns heads, Information Department’s teamwork hailed to make the festival a success story

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 11 (STC): The first-ever Jammu and Kashmir International Film Festival has started a new debate in the film world after its conclusion. The hard work, professionalism and mutual coordination of the team of the Information and Public Relations Department, Jammu and Kashmir have also come to the fore in the successful organization of this major international programme.
A large number of filmmakers, artists, experts, delegates and media representatives from the country and abroad participated in various programs during the festival. During the festival, which lasted from September 7 to 10, various activities were organized in Jammu and Gulmarg apart from Srinagar, due to which the administrative and coordination responsibilities became more extensive.
The leadership of Director Information Shreya Singhal was particularly noteworthy in this entire process. As the Festival Director, she was entrusted with the responsibility of overall coordination between various government departments, administrative institutions and concerned parties. Before the festival, she reviewed the arrangements in detail in several review meetings and paid special attention to smooth conduct, timely execution, continuous monitoring and strong media coverage.
Under the supervision of Shreya Singhal, the Information Department tried to highlight the festival as a grand opportunity to showcase the culture, hospitality and creativity of Jammu and Kashmir to the country and the world rather than just a film festival. Before the festival, he had also emphasized that the guests coming to different places should be shown the true cultural glimpse of Jammu and Kashmir.
The role of the Joint Director of the Information Department, Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari was also of special attention in this regard. Talking to the media during the festival, he said that the government is working to revive the historical connection of Jammu and Kashmir with Bollywood and attract filmmakers from all over the world to the region. According to him, Kashmir has extraordinary potential for filmmaking and the administration wants filmmakers to come here with confidence again. The presence of the field and media staff of the Information Department was also felt continuously during different stages of the festival. Field Publicity Officer Kashmir Shabbir Ahmed Butt and other information officers and officials performed their responsibilities in media coordination, dissemination of information, coverage of programs and necessary facilitation at various locations. Shabbir Ahmed Butt has recently taken over the post of Field Publicity Officer Kashmir and is associated with the field activities of the department. Similarly, Joint Director Information Headquarters Dr. Zahoor Ahmed Raina, Deputy Director Information Javed Ahmed Rather, Deputy Director PR Srinagar Rafiq Ahmed, Deputy Director Headquarters Kashmir Zubair Ahmed and other officers and officials of the department were also involved in various responsibilities related to the festival.
The participation of various deputy directors, film production officers, district information officers, information officers and other relevant officials in the review meeting of the festival preparations was also a reflection of this wide administrative network.
The participation of over 360 delegates from outside Jammu and Kashmir and their presence in various screenings, expert sessions and other programmes during the festival also posed a major administrative challenge for the administration and the Information Department, which was handled through effective coordination overall. The successful holding of the first IFFJK is also significant in that it has once again sought to highlight Jammu and Kashmir on the national and international film map. The festival provided a wide platform to filmmakers, artists, young creatives and local talent, while also trying to present the region as an attractive destination for filmmaking and film tourism. The success of such a major international event is not the result of the efforts of a single officer or institution, but involves the continuous hard work of an entire team behind it.
However, the leadership of Festival Director Shreya Singhal, active coordination of Joint Director Information Kashmir Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari, the field and media team including Shabbir Ahmed Butt, and the continuous efforts of other officers and officials of the Information Department played a valuable role in the successful completion of this important event. After the first success of IFFJK, it is expected that the festival will be further expanded in the coming years and efforts will continue to further consolidate Jammu and Kashmir as a major hub of filmmaking, creative industries and cultural activities.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs from NNB)