GOA, Nov 24: To promote J&K as an ideal destination for film shooting, J&K tourism department first time participated in the 47^th edition of International Film Festival, Goa which is being held from November 20 to November 28, 2016. 

The main objective for participation in this festival is to encourage the filmmakers of Country and abroad to shoot their films in beautiful film shooting destinations in J&K.

Deputy Director Tourism Kashmir Peerzada Zahoor, Deputy Director Jammu Vinakshi Koul, Assistant Director Tourism, Gulmarg Dr Alyas Ahmad and Tourist Officer Pahalgam Bilal Ahmad represented the state tourism in the film festival.

During the festival, J&K promoted the State as the prime destination for film shooting.

Scores of the known bollywood producers and directors besides hundreds of the low budget filmmakers participated in the festival. Many producers form foreign countries also participated in the festival.

The producers visited the J&K stall where they were showcased the J&K’s tourism potential.

The department circulated publicity material in the form of brochures and promotional pen drivers which highlights all J&K tourism products.

As J&K State particularly Kashmir is already a prime shooting destination for bollywood film makers but in this festival the J&k Tourism gave major thrust to attract the attention of low budget film makers of the country and the world to choose J&K as premier shooting destination for upcoming films and documentaries.

Deputy Director Tourism Kashmir/Publicity Peerzada Zahoor said the distinct producers and directors expressed their willingness to choose J&K for shooting during their visit in J&K Pavilion at Goa.

“We have already in place Single Window Clearance system for filmmakers to shoot in J&K. By introducing Single Window Clearance system from 2015, the filmmakers get easy access to our prime destinations and infrastructure. They get permission hassle-free which has encouraged many producers to visit Kashmir,” said Zahoor.

The producers especially from Canada, Germany, Africa, Korea besides producers of south Indian film makers also showed keen interest to visit J&K for shooting. 

The J&K government as a promotional campaign has kept zero fee for filmmakers to shoot in the state.

“The hassle-free permission is aimed to attract more filmmakers to J&K,” said Peerzada Zahoor.

J&K tourism department also participated today in the MICE Convention held in Ashoka Hotel in Delhi where they showcased MICE tourism potential of the State.

The J&K tourism is also participating in the three days IITM Pune and ITM Lucknow Tourism Fairs from November 25, 2016.

The department will promote pilgrimage tourism in ITM Lucknow exclusively.