Srinagar, Sep 9 (KNS): Kashmir could emerge as an attractive destination for international film productions and help deepen cinematic ties between India and Spain, Spanish filmmaker and producer Anna Saura Ramon said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters on the third day of the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at SKICC here, Saura highlighted the Valley's landscapes, lakes, natural light and hospitality as major advantages for filmmakers.

"This is my visit to Kashmir and India. I hope to come again," she said, describing her first experience of the region as positive and expressing interest in exploring Srinagar and its culture.

Saura said differences between the Indian and Spanish film industries should not prevent greater artistic collaboration, including joint productions and exchange of talent.

"I think we can push for better relationships between India and Spain," she said, adding that language need not be a barrier to such partnerships.

She said Kashmir had the locations and visual character capable of attracting filmmakers from different parts of the world and called for greater promotion of the Valley as a filming destination.

"There are great locations, good light for shooting and beautiful lakes," she said.

The filmmaker also said she had already shared photographs of Kashmir with a friend, who suggested that the Valley could be explored as a potential location for filmmaking.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Asked about the possibility of Indian actors featuring in future India-Spain productions, Saura said there was considerable scope for such collaborations.

She also expressed confidence that international studios could eventually bring productions to Kashmir, provided there was greater cooperation between governments and the film industry.

Saura described IFFJK as an important initiative for bringing international cinema and filmmakers to the region, saying such festivals expose local audiences to films from different parts of the world while creating opportunities for filmmakers to connect.

"It is important for everyone," she said, expressing hope that the festival would continue and grow in the coming years.

The producer and director, known for her work including the documentary The Kid in the Photo, said Kashmir's hospitality and atmosphere had added positively to her first visit to India.

The inaugural IFFJK, being held in Srinagar from September 7 to 10, has brought filmmakers and cinema professionals from India and abroad to the Union Territory and is seeking to promote Jammu and Kashmir as a destination for filmmaking while creating avenues for international cinematic collaboration.(KNS)