By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS): A five-day film festival -- Jammu & Kashmir International Film Festival (JKIFF) -- will be held in October in the valley, courtesy filmmakers concerned about the latency of cinema culture in the region.

With some recent films -- including Imtiaz Ali's "Highway", Rahat Kazmi's "Identity Card" and Vishal Bhardwaj's forthcoming film "Haider" -- having been shot in the picturesque region, the stage seems set for re-opening of movie theatres in Kashmir, which is currently hit by floods.

And to facilitate this move towards the resurrection of movie culture, a group of filmmakers is planning on a film fest.

"This festival is an initiative and effort to revive cinema in Kashmir, as we all know cinemas are closed there for several years, and the state has been through a bad period. Now thankfully, the condition is much better," Kazmi said.

"The people of the valley are cinema and art lovers. We are making efforts to bring some excellent cinema from as many countries as we could and we would try hard to invite media from many countries to cover the event," he added.

JKIFF is slated to have its opening night Oct 12, and it will close Oct 17. Some of the best filmmaking talents from the valley are likely to feature their works during the festival.

Since the festival is being organised in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir government, there would ve adequate security arrangements for all the delegates and participants, Kazmi said.

"We're in direct contact with Mr. Omar Abdullah. And we're certain that those attending the festival would have a wonderful time. The venue is right next to the Dal Lake. It can't get any more paradisaical," Kazmi said.