Kashmir World Film Festival returns for its 5th Edition — A cinematic celebration uniting cultures and creativity in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: The much-awaited 5th edition of the Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF) is set to dazzle film lovers from November 1 to 7, 2025, at the historic Tagore Hall, Srinagar. With an exciting lineup of international and regional films, masterclasses, and the presence of celebrated cinema personalities, this edition promises to be a grand celebration of cinematic artistry and cultural diversity.

Addressing a press conference today, Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan, Founder & Director Kashmir World Film Festival  said that over the years, KWFF has emerged as a powerful platform for cross-cultural dialogue through the medium of cinema. The festival’s earlier four editions drew an overwhelming response, hosting over 15,500 participants, mostly youth, and receiving more than 460 film entries from 15 countries. The media coverage—regional, national, and international—has been consistently encouraging, establishing KWFF as one of the most promising film festivals in South Asia.

This year, the festival received 123 film entries, of which 60 have been shortlisted for screening. Fifty-five films will compete across various categories, while five will be showcased in the non-competitive section. Entries have come from countries including Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Nepal, Palestine, Sri Lanka, and the UAE—reflecting the festival’s growing international stature.

From India, films span a wide linguistic spectrum, representing the nation’s rich cinematic diversity with entries in Kashmiri, Dogri, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Ladakhi, Malayalam, Marathi, Odiya, Pahadi, Punjabi, Tamil, Tibetan, and Urdu. Awards will be presented across genres such as Feature Films, Documentaries, Shorts, Animation, Experimental Works, and Student Films.

Adding to the star power, several renowned Bollywood personalities have confirmed their participation, including Raza Murad, Rajit Kapur, Jayati Bhatia, Shishir Sharma, Madhur Bhandarkar, Lalit Parimoo, and Sunit Tandon. The organizers are also in talks with other major names such as Nana Patekar, Aadil Hussain, Bhagyashree, Vijay Raaz, and Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

The festival will also host special guests from Jammu and Kashmir’s film and television industry, including Tariq Javaid, Dr. Aiyash Aarif, Ashraf Shawl, Waheed Jeelani, Mir Sarwar, and others—celebrating the local talent that enriches the region’s creative landscape.

The KWFF Executive Board, comprising Humayun Qaisar, Dr. Shahid Rasool, Khair-un-Nissa Shah, and Abhijit Patil, has planned an engaging week featuring interactive sessions, filmmaking workshops, and masterclasses with leading directors and actors. These programs aim to nurture young filmmakers and deepen their understanding of global cinema and storytelling.

The inauguration ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, November 1 at 3 PM, will mark the beginning of a week filled with screenings, discussions, and cultural exchange.

As the curtain rises on the 5th edition, the Kashmir World Film Festival continues its mission—to celebrate the art of cinema, foster creativity, and bring the world closer through the universal language of film.