Javed Banday
I was deeply disappointed that “The Last Candidate”, a film shot entirely in Kashmir with a largely local cast and crew, did not find a place for screening at the International Film Festival of J&K. I was initially informed by the organisers that the film was under screening/consideration, but there was no follow-up. Having attended film festivals and industry events around the world, including Cannes, TIFF and AFM in Los Angeles, I fully understand that every festival has its own selection process and not every submitted film can be selected. My concern is much simpler: there are thousands of festivals around the world open to our filmmakers, but if a festival being held in J&K does not provide enough space for films made by local filmmakers, and our own artists and filmmakers are not meaningfully invited or involved, then what is the purpose of having such an event here? I hope the organisers take this concern positively and, in future editions, make the festival a stronger platform for encouraging and showcasing the cinema and talent of J&K.
