National Film Awards
Encyclopedia
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India
. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India
and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals
since 1973.
Every year, a national panel appointed by the government selects the winning entry, and the award ceremony is held in New Delhi
, where the President of India
presents the awards. This is followed by the inauguration of the National Film Festival, where the award-winning films are screened for the public. Declared for films produced in the previous year across the country, they hold the distinction of awarding merit to the best of Indian cinema overall, as well as presenting awards for the best films in each region and language of the country. Due to the national scale of the National Film Awards, it is considered to be the equivalent of the American Academy Awards
.
conceived the ceremony to honor films made across India, on a national scale, to encourage the furthering of Indian art and culture. Since 1973, the Indian Directorate of Film festivals administers the ceremony along with other major film events in India annually. It is the highest award given for films in India.
and Non-Feature Films
. The feature film jury for 2009 consists of 13 members, including Rahul Dholakia
and is headed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta
. The non feature film jury consists of five members and is headed by Bikram Singh. The juries are appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals
in India
. Neither the Government nor the Directorate have influence over which films are selected for consideration and which films ultimately win awards. There are strict criteria as to whether a film is eligible for consideration by the jury panels. Over 100 films made across the country are entered in each category (Feature and Non-Feature) for the awards and deemed eligible each year.
A list of rules is presented every year in a document of regulations known as the National Film Award Regulations. The criteria for eligibility contains many clauses. Among them, there is a direct requirement for the makers of a film, and particularly the director, to be Indian nationals. Films entering the competition should be produced in India, and in case of co-production involving a foreign entity, there are as many as six conditions which should be fulfilled in order for the film to qualify. According to the criteria, in order to be eligible for consideration of the jury, a film should be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification
between January 1 and December 31. Whether a film is considered a feature film or a non-feature film shall be decided by the Feature Film jury. The eligibility list includes a section of rules determining which films shall not by eligible for entry in the competition.
s produced in the previous year, given in the following categories:
Best Feature Film in each of the languages specified in schedule VIII of the constitution:
Best Feature Film in each of the languages other than those specified in schedule VIII of the constitution:
. It is named after Dadasaheb Phalke
, one of India's pioneering film makers.
are given in different categories including the following:
Best Film Critic
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India
International Film Festival of India
The International Film Festival of India , founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually in the beach town of Goa, in the Western Coast of the country, the festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of...
and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals
Directorate of Film Festivals
The Directorate of Film Festivals in India is an organization that initiates and presents the most prestigious film ceremonies in India. These are the International Film Festival of India, the National Film Awards and the Indian Panorama...
since 1973.
Every year, a national panel appointed by the government selects the winning entry, and the award ceremony is held in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, where the President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
presents the awards. This is followed by the inauguration of the National Film Festival, where the award-winning films are screened for the public. Declared for films produced in the previous year across the country, they hold the distinction of awarding merit to the best of Indian cinema overall, as well as presenting awards for the best films in each region and language of the country. Due to the national scale of the National Film Awards, it is considered to be the equivalent of the American Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
.
History
The Awards were first presented in 1954. The Government of IndiaGovernment of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
conceived the ceremony to honor films made across India, on a national scale, to encourage the furthering of Indian art and culture. Since 1973, the Indian Directorate of Film festivals administers the ceremony along with other major film events in India annually. It is the highest award given for films in India.
Juries and rules
The National Film Awards are presented in two main categories: Feature FilmsFeature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
and Non-Feature Films
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
. The feature film jury for 2009 consists of 13 members, including Rahul Dholakia
Rahul Dholakia
Rahul Dholakia is an Indian film director-producer-screenwriter, most known for his National Film Award winning film, Parzania , prior to which he also made documentaries like Teenage Parents and New York Taxi Drivers.-Early life and education:Born in Mumbai, to Raksha and Parry Dholakia, an...
and is headed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta
Buddhadeb Dasgupta
Buddhadeb Dasgupta is a poet and prominent contemporary Indian filmmaker, most known for films like Bagh Bahadur, Tahader Katha, Charachar and Uttara...
. The non feature film jury consists of five members and is headed by Bikram Singh. The juries are appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals
Directorate of Film Festivals
The Directorate of Film Festivals in India is an organization that initiates and presents the most prestigious film ceremonies in India. These are the International Film Festival of India, the National Film Awards and the Indian Panorama...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Neither the Government nor the Directorate have influence over which films are selected for consideration and which films ultimately win awards. There are strict criteria as to whether a film is eligible for consideration by the jury panels. Over 100 films made across the country are entered in each category (Feature and Non-Feature) for the awards and deemed eligible each year.
A list of rules is presented every year in a document of regulations known as the National Film Award Regulations. The criteria for eligibility contains many clauses. Among them, there is a direct requirement for the makers of a film, and particularly the director, to be Indian nationals. Films entering the competition should be produced in India, and in case of co-production involving a foreign entity, there are as many as six conditions which should be fulfilled in order for the film to qualify. According to the criteria, in order to be eligible for consideration of the jury, a film should be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification
Central Board of Film Certification
The Central Board of Film Certification is a Government of India regulatory body and censorship board of India controlled by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It reviews, rates and censors motion pictures, television shows, television ads, and promotional material...
between January 1 and December 31. Whether a film is considered a feature film or a non-feature film shall be decided by the Feature Film jury. The eligibility list includes a section of rules determining which films shall not by eligible for entry in the competition.
Awards up to 2011
The Awards are presented to feature filmFeature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
s produced in the previous year, given in the following categories:
Golden Lotus Award
Official Name: Swarna Kamal- Best Feature FilmNational Film Award for Best FilmThe National Award for Best Feature film is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, India, and was constituted in the year 1954. This is one of the Golden Lotus Awards given among National Film Awards...
- Best DirectionNational Film Award for Best DirectingThe National Film Award for Best Direction winners are given below. Satyajit Ray has been awarded the maximum number of times in this category....
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentNational Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentThe National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment winners:1981 to 1984 and 1992, 1986 & 1977 No Award was given....
- Best Children's FilmNational Film Award for Best Children's FilmThe National Film Award for Best Children's Film is given annually as part of the National Film Awards ceremony in India. It is given to the film the jury panel of the awards deem the best feature that deals with themes surrounding children....
- Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a DirectorIndira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a DirectorThe Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director is a National Film Award - Golden Lotus Award, given to a feature film director's first film.The National Film Award - Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director winners:...
Silver Lotus Award
Official Name: Rajat Kamal- Best ActorNational Film Award for Best ActorThe National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
- Best ActressNational Film Award for Best ActressThe National Film Award for Best Actress is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actress who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry...
- Best Supporting ActorNational Film Award for Best Supporting ActorThe National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor is an annual award that was first given in 1968. The actors to have won the most awards in this category include Nana Patekar, Atul Kulkarni, and Pankaj Kapoor, each have received two....
- Best Supporting ActressNational Film Award for Best Supporting ActressThe National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress winners:...
- Best Child ArtistNational Film Award for Best Child ArtistThe National Film Award for Best Child Artist winners:-References:*...
- Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National IntegrationNargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National IntegrationThe Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration is a National Film Award - Silver Lotus, given to an Indian feature film director, for the best film relating to National Integration in India.The winners of the Award:-References:...
- Second Best Feature FilmNational Film Award for Second Best Feature FilmThe National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film winners :-See also:...
(discontinued after 1993) - Best ScreenplayNational Film Award for Best ScreenplayThe National Film Award for Best Screenplay winners:-References:...
- Best CinematographyNational Film Award for Best CinematographyThe National Film Award for Best Cinematography are given annually. The only female who has won this award is Anjuli Shukla, who won the award for her debut film, Kutty Srank . The most time winners are Santosh Sivan & K.K. Mahajan - 4 awards each for best cinematography category....
- Best EditingNational Film Award for Best EditingThe National Film Award for Best Editing winners:-References:...
- Best Art DirectionNational Film Award for Best Art DirectionThe National Film Award for Best Art Direction winners:...
- Best Make-up ArtistNational Film Award for Best Make-up ArtistThe National Film Award - Best Make-up Artist given for the first time in the year 2008, at 54th National Film Awards .Winners:-References:...
- Best Costume DesignNational Film Award for Best Costume DesignThe National Film Award for Best Costume Design winners:...
- Best Music DirectionNational Film Award for Best Music DirectionThe National Film Award for Best Music Direction are given annually. In years 1994, 1995 and 2010, an award for Best Background Score was instituted by the Jury, which was won by Johnson and by Ilaiyaraaja . Ilaiyaraaja and A. R...
- Best LyricsNational Film Award for Best LyricsThe National Film Award for Best Lyrics winners:Vairamuthu won the award for maximum number of times . Javed Akhtar is the only lyricist to win the award for three consecutive years .-References:...
- Best Male Playback SingerNational Film Award for Best Male Playback SingerThe following is a list of winners of the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. The singer with the most awards in this category is K. J. Yesudas with seven wins, whereas S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won six times for 4 different languages; Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu.-Superlatives:...
- Best Female Playback SingerNational Film Award for Best Female Playback SingerThe National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer winners are given below. Lata Mangeshkar is the oldest winner in this category, whereas Anjali Marathe is the youngest winner; while K. S. Chithra been awarded for the maximum number of times .-Superlatives:...
- Best ChoreographyNational Film Award for Best ChoreographyThe National Film Award for 'Best Choreography' winners:...
- Best AudiographyNational Film Award for Best AudiographyThe National Film Award for Best Audiography winners:...
- Best Special EffectsNational Film Award for Best Special EffectsThe National Film Award for Best Special Effects winners:...
- Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film)National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film)The National Film Award of India - Special Jury Award / Special Mention - Feature Film winners are:...
- Best Film on Other Social IssuesNational Film Award for Best Film on Other Social IssuesThe National Film Award - Best Film on Other Social Issues winners:...
- Best Film on Family WelfareNational Film Award for Best Film on Family WelfareThe National Film Award - Best Film on Family Welfare winners:...
- Best Film on Environment Conservation/PreservationNational Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/PreservationThe National Film Award - Best Film on Environment Preservation/Conservation winners:-References:...
Best Feature Film in each of the languages specified in schedule VIII of the constitution:
- Best Feature Film in AssameseNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in AssameseThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Assamese winners:...
- Best Feature Film in BengaliNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in BengaliThe Indian National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali winners:...
- Best Feature Film in HindiNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in HindiThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi awards the best regional film in Hindi language. Initially the award was known as the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi. The winners in this category are:...
- Best Feature Film in KannadaNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in KannadaThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada winners:...
- Best Feature Film in KonkaniNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in KonkaniThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Konkani winners:...
- Best Feature Film in MalayalamNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in MalayalamThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam winners:...
- Best Feature Film in ManipuriNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in ManipuriThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri winners:...
- Best Feature Film in MarathiNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in MarathiThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi winners:...
- Best Feature Film in OriyaNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in OriyaThe Best Feature Film in Oriya is a National Film Award . Oriya is a national language of India. Previous award winners are as follows:...
- Best Feature Film in PunjabiNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in PunjabiThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Punjabi winners:...
- Best Feature Film in TamilNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in TamilThe following lists the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The year in the header refers to the date when the film was censored and submitted for the awards, without of regard of when the award was presented. Apart from the Silver Lotus Award "Certificate of Merit" was also given...
- Best Feature Film in TeluguNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in TeluguThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu Cinema winners: The awards received by the films released in the previous year are listed below...
Best Feature Film in each of the languages other than those specified in schedule VIII of the constitution:
- Best Feature Film in EnglishNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in EnglishThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English winners:-References:*...
- Best Feature Film in Bhojpuri
- Best Feature Film in Kokborok
- Best Feature Film in Monpa
- Best Feature Film in Tulu
Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is for lifetime achievement and contribution to Indian CinemaCinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
. It is named after Dadasaheb Phalke
Dadasaheb Phalke
Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke was an Indian producer-director-screenwriter, known as the father of Indian cinema...
, one of India's pioneering film makers.
- Dadasaheb Phalke AwardDadasaheb Phalke AwardThe Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
Non-Feature Film Awards
The Awards presented to Non-Feature FilmsDocumentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
are given in different categories including the following:
- Best Non-Feature FilmNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature FilmThe National Film Award – Best Non-Feature Film is given by the Directorate of film festivals under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The winners are given a Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs.1,00,000.-Winners:...
- Best First Non-Feature FilmNational Film Award for Best First Non-Feature FilmThe National Film Award for Best Feature First Non-Feature Film winners:...
- Best Anthropological/Ethnographic FilmNational Film Award for Best Anthropological/Ethnographic FilmThe National Film Award - Best Anthropological/Ethnographic Film winners:...
- Best Biographical FilmNational Film Award for Best Biographical FilmThe National Film Award - Best Biographical Film winners:...
- Best Arts/Cultural FilmNational Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural FilmThe National Film Award - Best Arts/Cultural Film winners:...
- Best Scientific FilmNational Film Award for Best Scientific FilmThe National Film Award - Best Scientific Film winners:...
- Best Promotional FilmNational Film Award for Best Promotional FilmThe National Film Award for Best Promotional Film is given to films that cover topics of tourism, exports, crafts, industry, etc. of India.-Winners:...
- Best Agriculture Film
- Best Film on Social IssuesNational Film Award for Best Film on Social IssuesThe National Film Award - Best Film On Social Issues is given by the Non-Feature film jury of the National Film Awards annually, to films covering issues including prohibition, women and child welfare, dowry, drug abuse, and welfare of the handicapped.The National Film Award - Best Film On...
- Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional FilmNational Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional FilmThe National Film Award - Best Educational Film winners:-See also:*National Film Awards...
- Best Environment/Conservation/Preservation FilmNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature Environment/Conservation/Preservation FilmThe National Film Award - Best Non-Feature Environment/Conservation/Preservation Film winners:-See also:*National Film Awards...
- Best Exploration/Adventure FilmNational Film Award for Best Exploration/Adventure FilmThe National Film Award - Best Exploration/Adventure Film winners:-See also:*National Film Awards...
- Best Investigative FilmNational Film Award for Best Investigative FilmThe National Film Award - Best Investigative Film winners:-See also:*National Film Awards...
- Best Animated FilmNational Film Award for Best Animated FilmThe National Film Award of India, - Best Animated Film winners:...
- Best Short Fiction FilmNational Film Award for Best Short Fiction FilmThe National Film Award - Best Short Fiction Film winners:...
- Best Non-Feature Film on Family WelfareNational Film Award for Best Non-feature Film on Family WelfareThe National Film Award - Best Non-feature Family Welfare Film winners:-See also:*National Film Awards...
- Best Non-Feature Film DirectionNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film DirectionThe National Film Award - Best Direction - Non-Feature Film winners:...
- Best Non-Feature Film CinematographyNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film CinematographyThe National Film Award - Best Cinematography - Non-Feature Film winners:...
- Best Non-Feature Film AudiographyNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film AudiographyThe National Film Award - Best Audiography - Non-Feature Film winners:...
- Best Non-Feature Film EditingNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film EditingThe National Film Award - Best Editing - Non-Feature Film winners:...
- Best Non-Feature Film Music DirectionNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Music DirectionThe National Film Award - Best Music Direction - Non-Feature Film winners:...
- Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Non-Feature Film)National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Non-Feature Film)The National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention - Non-Feature Film winners:...
Best Book on Cinema
This award is given to the Best Book on Cinema:- Best Book on CinemaNational Film Award for Best Book on CinemaThe National Film Award — Golden Lotus Award — Best Book on Cinema winners:...
Best Film Critic
This award is given to the Best Film Critic on Cinema:Best Film Critic
National Film Award for Best Film Critic
The National Film Award of India for Best Film Critic is given for Best Criticism of Indian Cinema.Winners:...
See also
- Cinema of IndiaCinema of IndiaThe cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
- National Awards Records
- 58th National Film Awards58th National Film AwardsThe 58th National Film Awards is presented to the best of Indian Cinema released during the year 2010.-Feature Films:Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format but released on a film format or video/digital but certified by the Central...
- 57th National Film Awards57th National Film AwardsThe 57th National Film Awards is presented to the best of Indian Cinema released during the year 2009.Couple of new awards has been introduced for Location Sound Recordist and Sound Designer in the Audiography category, for Background Score in addition to the existing award for Best Music Direction...
- 56th National Film Awards56th National Film AwardsThe 56th National Film Awards is presented to the best of Indian Cinema released during the year 2008.-Feature Films:Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format but released on a film format or video/digital but certified by the Central Board of Film...
- 55th National Film Awards55th National Film AwardsThe 55th National Film Awards is presented to the best of Indian Cinema released during the year 2007.-Feature Films:Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format but released on a film format or video/digital but certified by the Central Board of Film...
- 54th National Film Awards54th National Film AwardsThe 54th National Film Awards is presented to the best of Indian Cinema released during the year 2006.-Feature Films:Films made in any Indian language shot on 16 mm, 35 mm or in a wider gauge or digital format but released on a film format or video/digital but certified by the Central...