Can Uttarakhand build its own Film Industry?
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Jun: More than 100 filmmakers, investors, entrepreneurs, artists and industry professionals gathered in Dehradun for the Himalayan Cinema Conclave 2026, an initiative aimed at strengthening cinema and creative industries across the Himalayan region. The first-ever edition of the conclave, hosted in Dehradun on Sunday, was focused on exploring opportunities, challenges and growth pathways for the film industry of Uttarakhand.
Held at Fairfield by Marriott, Dehradun, the conclave brought together stakeholders from cinema, business and government support systems to discuss how Uttarakhand can build a stronger and more sustainable creative economy through storytelling, filmmaking, distribution, investment and technology.
Organised by Himflix, an emerging OTT platform from the Himalayas, the event was held in association with Himalayan Resource Enhancement Society (HRES) and supported by the Uttarakhand Film Development Council (UFDC).
Throughout the day, participants discussed the immense potential of Uttarakhand’s filmmakers, artists and storytellers, while also addressing key challenges related to financing, distribution, market access, skill development and industry infrastructure.
Rahul Rawat, Founder of Himflix, called for the development of a stronger film ecosystem in Uttarakhand, one that supports the creation of quality cinema while also focusing on revenue generation, distribution and market access. He emphasised that regional cinema must evolve into a commercially sustainable industry that can stand on its own rather than relying predominantly on subsidies.
One of the highlights of the conclave was the virtual address by Bollywood actor Priyanshu Painyuli, who joined from London and shared his views on the future of Himalayan cinema. He encouraged filmmakers to stay connected to their roots and highlighted the growing global demand for authentic regional stories.
The conclave also featured networking sessions that enabled filmmakers, investors and entrepreneurs to explore partnerships and future collaborations. Participants widely described the event as a significant step towards creating a more organised and commercially sustainable film ecosystem for Uttarakhand while contributing to the larger vision of strengthening cinema across the Himalayan region.
As the event concluded, participants expressed optimism that initiatives such as the Himalayan Cinema Conclave were much needed and long awaited which can help position Uttarakhand as a leading hub for regional cinema and creative entrepreneurship, while also contributing to the broader growth of the Himalayan film industry.
