Three Virtual Bharat documentaries selected for IFFJK 2026

SRINAGAR — Three short documentaries from Virtual Bharat have been selected for screening at the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026, scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 across Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg.

According to a press release issued by Virtual Bharat, “Naqsh-e-Daur: The Story of Ghulam Nabi Dar” and “Taleem” have been selected for the festival’s J&K Select Competition Section, while “Kunemechi: A Home Carved in Ancestry” will be screened in the Non-Competition Section.

“Naqsh-e-Daur” follows Ghulam Nabi Dar, a master craftsman from Safakadal in Srinagar who, according to the release, has spent six decades carving Kashmir’s history into walnut wood.

The documentary highlights Dar’s work with traditional chinar motifs and Quranic calligraphy and his efforts to mentor younger artisans and preserve the craft amid industrialisation and conflict, the release said.

“Taleem” explores Kashmir’s traditional carpet-weaving practice and the oral code known as Taleem, which guides artisans in creating intricate silk and wool carpets.

The film traces the work of spinners, dyers, weavers and finishers and examines the role of the tradition in sustaining the craft across generations, according to the release.

“Kunemechi: A Home Carved in Ancestry”, set in Dimapur, Nagaland, follows Phesao as he constructs a home by hand while drawing on inherited Naga woodcarving traditions and formal training from JJ School of Arts.

The film focuses on traditional construction practices and the passing of craftsmanship and responsibility from one generation to another, the release said.

IFFJK 2026, organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Jammu & Kashmir government, is themed “Rang-e-Cinema” and is described by the organisers as the Union Territory’s first international film festival.

The release said the festival received more than 1,100 entries from over 50 countries, with 135 films from 41 countries shortlisted for screening.

A five-member international jury will assess entries across the festival’s international, national and J&K-focused competition sections. The jury comprises cinematographer-director Santosh Sivan, Oscar- and BAFTA-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, German film curator Dorothee Wenner, media entrepreneur Keiko Bang and National Award-winning filmmaker and educator Himansu Sekhar Khatua, according to the release.

Screenings are scheduled at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), INOX Multiplex Srinagar, Movie Time Cinemas in Jammu and the Gulmarg Convention Centre.

The festival also includes an Emerging Filmmakers Contest aimed at showcasing local talent, alongside initiatives focused on filmmaking, cultural exchange and film tourism in the Valley.

Virtual Bharat, created by filmmaker Bharatbala, is described in the release as a #1000 short documentary series focused on stories, traditions, art and folklore from across India.

Launched on August 15, 2019, the project was envisioned as “culture on the cloud” and aims to produce 1,000 short documentaries featuring people and communities from across the country.

The project has featured collaborators including A.R. Rahman, Gulzar and Shreya Ghoshal, according to the release.

Bharatbala Ganapathy is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer who has worked in cinema, advertising, television commercials and documentaries. The release also credits him with directing the music videos “Vande Mataram” and “Jana Gana Mana”, the feature films “Hari Om” and “Maryan”, and more than 500 advertising campaigns.