Abohar, Punjab | September 27, 2026 — A new chapter was added to the cultural history of Abohar with the successful first edition of the Abohar International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026, bringing filmmakers and cinematic stories together on an international platform in Punjab, India.
The inaugural edition of the Abohar International Film Festival 2026 received more than 100 film entries, marking an important milestone for the city and establishing Abohar as a new destination for filmmakers, cinema enthusiasts and creative professionals.
The festival was organized by Kohli Motion Pictures in collaboration with Natrang Abohar.
A New International Film Festival in Abohar
The first edition of AIFF was designed to provide a platform for filmmakers to present their stories, creative ideas and cinematic work to an audience beyond geographical boundaries.
With participation at national and international levels, the festival highlighted the growing role of independent cinema, short films, documentaries, music videos and other filmmaking formats.
The successful completion of the first edition represents an important cultural development for Abohar, Punjab, while creating opportunities for the city to connect with the wider Indian and international film community.
Ashish Nehra and Bhupinder Utreja Attend as Chief Guests
The festival welcomed renowned actor Ashish Nehra and veteran theatre personality Bhupinder Utreja as the chief guests.
Ashish Nehra is a prominent artist from Haryana who has worked across films and web series in significant roles. His participation added a strong connection between the festival and the wider Indian entertainment industry.
Bhupinder Utreja has been working in theatre and cultural activities for the past 22 years through his organization Natrang Abohar. Through his continued work, he has contributed to bringing Abohar to a wider national theatre and cultural platform.
Their presence added to the cultural significance of the inaugural edition of AIFF.
Festival Leadership by Nitin Kohli and Shivam Kohli
The first edition of the Abohar International Film Festival was successfully conducted under the leadership of Festival Director & Marketing Head Nitin Kohli and Film Director Shivam Kohli.
Nitin Kohli led the festival’s overall coordination and development, while Shivam Kohli contributed his experience as a filmmaker and creative professional.
According to the festival organizers, Shivam Kohli has received recognition and awards for his films at national and international platforms.
Under their leadership, the inaugural edition received 100+ film entries, helping establish AIFF as a platform for filmmakers and cinematic storytelling.
Award Winners at Abohar International Film Festival 2026
The first edition of AIFF recognized filmmakers across multiple categories. Among the highlighted award recipients were:
Best Mobile Film – 2nd Position
Film: What Is Life?
Filmmaker: Avro Mukerji
Best Documentary Short Film – 3rd Position
Film: The Lone Sentinels of the Nail Forest
Filmmaker: Sabri Varkala
Best Experimental Feature Film – 1st Position
Film: God Ji Simonizer of Geeta
Filmmaker: Kamal Kant Mishra
Best Documentary Short Film – Jury Award – 2nd Position
Film: Searching Saraswati
Filmmaker: Nimisha Suryavanshi
These awards reflected the diversity of filmmaking represented during the festival, covering mobile filmmaking, documentary cinema and experimental feature filmmaking.
Celebrating Independent and Emerging Filmmakers
One of the key aspects of AIFF 2026 was its focus on filmmakers and their stories.
The festival created a space where different forms of cinema could be recognized, including:
Short Films
Documentary Films
Feature Films
Mobile Films
Experimental Cinema
Music Videos
Social and Cultural Films
This diversity reflects the changing landscape of independent cinema, where filmmakers increasingly use new technologies, unique storytelling methods and different production formats to reach audiences.
A New Cultural Platform for Punjab
The successful organization of the Abohar International Film Festival 2026 represents more than a film event for the city. It also creates a platform for connecting Abohar with filmmakers, artists and creative communities from different parts of India and abroad.
Abohar’s cultural identity, local community and connection with the wider region provide an opportunity for future cinematic and creative activities.
The festival organizers believe that initiatives such as AIFF can contribute to creating greater visibility for Abohar and encouraging more filmmakers, producers and artists to explore the city for filmmaking and creative projects.
Future Opportunities for Filmmaking in Abohar
The organizers also expressed their vision of developing Abohar into an emerging destination for film and creative projects.
In the coming years, the festival aims to contribute to greater engagement between filmmakers and the city, potentially encouraging more:
Film productions
Cultural projects
Creative collaborations
Film-related events
Tourism and cultural initiatives
Such activities can help showcase the cultural and geographic identity of Abohar while connecting the city with the national and international filmmaking community.
Abohar International Film Festival 2026: A Beginning
The first edition of the Abohar International Film Festival marks the beginning of a new cinematic journey for Abohar.
With more than 100 film entries and participation from filmmakers at national and international levels, AIFF 2026 established a platform focused on storytelling, filmmaking and creative expression.
The festival’s inaugural edition also highlighted the potential of smaller Indian cities to become hosts for meaningful cultural and cinematic events.
As AIFF looks toward future editions, the festival aims to continue creating opportunities for filmmakers and bringing diverse cinematic voices to Abohar, Punjab.
About Abohar International Film Festival
Abohar International Film Festival (AIFF) is a film festival presented by Kohli Motion Pictures, created to provide filmmakers with a platform to showcase diverse cinematic stories and creative works.
The first edition of AIFF 2026 was held in Abohar, Punjab, India, on September 27, 2026.
Festival: Abohar International Film Festival
Edition: 1st Edition
Year: 2026
Location: Abohar, Punjab, India
Presented by: Kohli Motion Pictures