Srinagar, September 29: A delegation of senior members of the Kashmir Film and Television Association (KFTA) called on Sanjay Saraf, National Spokesperson, Lok Janshakti Party, yesterday evening and apprised him of the issues confronting the local film fraternity.
The delegation was led by Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan, Founder & Director, Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF), and included prominent film professionals Zameer Ashai, G. M. Wani, Hussein Khan, Hassan Javaid and others.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted what it described as serious challenges faced by local artists, filmmakers and film professionals, particularly the lack of institutional support and non-cooperation from the present administration.
The members expressed concern over the recently held government-sponsored film festival, alleging that Kashmiri artists, filmmakers and professionals were ignored in its planning and execution. They also questioned the expenditure incurred on the festival and stressed that film festivals require professional and domain-specific expertise.
The delegation submitted a detailed memorandum seeking Saraf’s intervention on the issue. Among its key demands were clarification on the expenditure incurred on the recent government-organized festival, government support and institutionalisation of credible existing private initiatives like KWFF, and entrusting future film festivals in J&K to film professionals, with local talent at the centre.
The delegation also highlighted the contribution of Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan, stating that he had organized five editions of Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF) in Srinagar and one edition of J&K International Film Festival (JAKIFF) in Pune in June 2022. It also mentioned his participation as a Member of the International Jury at Nepal Cultural International Film Festival (NCIFF) 2024, Kathmandu, Nepal, besides invitations to film festivals at Thiruvananthapuram, Sriganganagar, Delhi, Mumbai and other cities.
The delegation stated that KWFF, conceived and executed by Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan in 2017, was held at a time when no cinema hall was functional in the Valley.
The filmmakers reiterated their demand for reasonable financial support to strengthen the local film industry and urged the elected Chief Minister to support local filmmakers and festival directors.
After hearing the grievances, Sanjay Saraf assured the delegation of his unconditional support and committed to raising their concerns at all appropriate platforms.
