The second day of the festival featured a masterclass by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, known for thrillers including Ek Haseena Thi, Andhadhun and Badlapur, as well as the upcoming war drama Ikkis.

The maiden festival also drew producer-director Ramesh Sippy, actors Fatima Sana Sheikh and Taha Shah Badussha, and playback singers Sunidhi Chauhan, Usha Uthup and Palak Muchhal. Celebrated cinematographer Santosh Sivan, sound designer Baylon Fonseca and cinematographer Anil Mehta were also in attendance.

Following a grand inauguration by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday evening, around 70 films, including shorts and documentaries, were screened on Tuesday.

Laila Majnu and Mirzapur: The Movie were screened at INOX, while Raghavan’s Ikkis was screened at both INOX and Waves Cinema Jammu.

The festival also showcased international cinema, with films from Malaysia, Iran, Portugal, Indonesia, Mexico, Jordan, Cuba and Belgium among the selections.

Adding a distinctly Kashmiri touch to the celebrations, the 1965 romantic drama Arzoo, starring Rajendra Kumar, Sadhana and Feroz Khan, was scheduled for a screening at the floating cinema on Dal Lake. Much of the film was shot in Kashmir, including several of its popular songs.