National Film Awards

State-instituted annual film awards in India

This article is about the National Film Awards in India. For other uses, see National Film Awards (disambiguation).

National Film Awards

Current: 71st National Film Awards
Awarded for| Excellence in cinematic achievements for Indian cinema
Location| Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Country| India
Presented by| National Film Development Corporation
First award| 10 October 1954; 70 years ago (1954-10-10)
Website| nfaindia.org

The National Film Awards are awards for artistic and technical merit given for excellence within the Indian film industry. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals from 1973 until 2020, and by the NFDC since 2021.[1][2][3]

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 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.[4]

## History

[edit]

The Awards were first presented in 1954. The Government of India conceived the ceremony to honor films made across India, on a national scale, to encourage the furthering of Indian art and culture. From 1973 until 2020, the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals administers the ceremony along with other major film events in India annually.[5] Since then, National Film Development Corporation of India administers the ceremony.

## Juries and rules

[edit]

The National Film Awards are presented in two main categories: Feature Films and Non-Feature Films.[1] The juries are appointed by the NFDC. Neither the Government nor the organization has 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 are deemed eligible each year.[6]

A list of rules is presented every year in a document of regulations known as the National Film Award Regulations.[1] The criteria for eligibility contain many clauses. Among them, there is a direct requirement for the makers of a film, and particularly the director, to be Indian nationals.[7] Films entering the competition should be produced in India, and in the case of co-production involving a foreign entity, there are as many as six conditions that should be fulfilled in order for the film to qualify.[7] According to the criteria, in order to be eligible for consideration by the jury, a film should be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification between 1 January and 31 December. 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 be eligible for entry in the competition.[7]

## Awards ceremonies

[edit]

The "Year" in the below table corresponds to the year of the film certificate issued by the CBFC. The "Date" indicates when the awards were presented to the winners.

Year  | Ceremony  | Date  | Best Feature Film  | Best Non-Feature Film

|
|
|
|

1953  | 1st | 10 October 1954 | Shyamchi Aai | Mahabalipuram
1954  | 2nd | 21 December 1955 | Mirza Ghalib | Spirit of the Loom
1955  | 3rd | September 1956 | Pather Panchali | Magic of Mountains
1956  | 4th | 28 April 1957 | Kabuliwala | Gotama The Buddha
1957  | 5th | 16 April 1958 | Do Aankhen Barah Haath | A Himalayan Tapestry
1958  | 6th | 28 April 1959 | Sagar Sangamey | Radha Krishna
1959  | 7th | 1 May 1960 | Apur Sansar | Kathakali
1960  | 8th | 31 March 1961 | Anuradha | Kangra and Kulu
1961  | 9th | 21 April 1962 | Bhagini Nivedita | Rabindranath Tagore
1962  | 10th | 21 April 1963 | Dada Thakur | Four Centuries Ago
1963  | 11th | 25 April 1964 | Shehar Aur Sapna | Song of the Snow
1964  | 12th | 31 May 1965 | Charulata | One Day
1965  | 13th | 1966 | Chemmeen | Cloven Horizon
1966  | 14th | 10 October 1967 | Teesri Kasam | Glimpses of West Bengal
1967  | 15th | 25 November 1968 | Hatey Bazarey | India '67
1968  | 16th | 13 February 1970 | Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne | Everest
1969  | 17th | 21 November 1970 | Bhuvan Shome | Amrita Sher-Gil
1970  | 18th | 1971 | Samskara | "No Award"
1971  | 19th | 1 May 1972 | Seemabaddha | Bhutan
1972  | 20th | 1973 | Swayamvaram | The Inner Eye
1973  | 21st | October 1974 | Nirmalyam | The Flame Burns Bright
1974  | 22nd | 1976 | Chorus | Man In Search of Man
1975  | 23rd | 1976 | Chomana Dudi | Winged Wonderland
1976  | 24th | 1977 | Mrigayaa | "No Award"
1977  | 25th | 27 April 1978 | Ghatashraddha | Deshratna Rajendra Prasad
1978  | 26th | April 1979 | "No Award"  | Rumtek - A Monastery Wrethed
In A Hundred Thousand Rainbows
1979  | 27th | May 1980 | Shodh | "No Award"
1980  | 28th | April 1981 | Akaler Shandhaney | Daldal
1981  | 29th | April 1982 | Dakhal | Faces After The Storm
1982  | 30th | May 1983 | Chokh | An Indian Story
1983  | 31st | June 1984 | Adi Shankaracharya | The Procession
1984  | 32nd | June 1985 | Damul | Music of Satyajit Ray
1985  | 33rd | June 1986 | Chidambaram | Bombay: Our City
1986  | 34th | September 1987 | Tabarana Kathe | The Land of Sand Dunes
1987  | 35th | April 1988 | Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai | Bhopal: Beyond Genocide
1988  | 36th | 31 May 1989 | Piravi | Kanaka Purandara
1989  | 37th | May 1990 | Bagh Bahadur | Aar Koto Din
1990  | 38th | 7 April 1991 | Marupakkam | Graven Image
1991  | 39th | 6 May 1992 | Agantuk | Sons of Abotani: The Misings
1992  | 40th | 4 May 1993 | Bhagavad Gita | In Search of Indian Theatre
1993  | 41st | 30 September 1994 | Charachar | Maihar Raag
1994  | 42nd | 17 July 1995 | Unishe April | Rasayatra
1995  | 43rd | 6 August 1996 | Kathapurushan | Tarana
1996  | 44th | 15 July 1997 | Lal Darja | Sham's Vision
1997  | 45th | 10 July 1998 | Thaayi Saheba | Jataner Jami
1998  | 46th | 15 February 2000 | Samar | In The Forest Hangs a Bridge
1999  | 47th | 18 September 2000 | Vanaprastham | Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein
2000  | 48th | 12 December 2001 | Shantham | Rasikpriya
2001  | 49th | 13 February 2003 | Dweepa | Sonal
2002  | 50th | 29 December 2003 | Mondo Meyer Upakhyan | Narayan Gangaram Surve
2003  | 51st | 2 February 2005 | Shwaas | Kaya Poochhe Maya Se
War and Peace
2004  | 52nd | 21 October 2005 | Page 3 | Girni
2005  | 53rd | 14 September 2007 | Kaalpurush | Riding Solo to the Top of the World
2006  | 54th | 2 September 2008 | Pulijanmam | Bishar Blues
2007  | 55th | 21 October 2009 | Kanchivaram | Hope Dies Last In War
2008  | 56th | 20 March 2010 | Antaheen | AFSPA 1958
2009  | 57th | 22 October 2010 | Kutty Srank | The Postman and Bilal
2010  | 58th | 9 September 2011 | Adaminte Makan Abu | Germ
2011  | 59th | 3 May 2012 | Byari | And We Play On
Deool
2012  | 60th | 3 May 2013 | Paan Singh Tomar | Shepherds of Paradise
2013  | 61st | 3 May 2014 | Ship of Theseus | Rangbhoomi
2014  | 62nd | 3 May 2015 | Court | Tender is the Sight
2015  | 63rd | 3 May 2016 | Baahubali: The Beginning | Amdavad Ma Famous
2016  | 64th | 3 May 2017 | Kaasav | Fireflies in the Abyss
2017  | 65th | 3 May 2018 | Village Rockstars | "No Award"
2018  | 66th | 23 December 2019 | Hellaro | Son Rise
The Secret Life Of Frogs
2019  | 67th | 25 October 2021 | Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea | An Engineered Dream
2020  | 68th | 30 September 2022 | Soorarai Pottru | Testimony of Ana
2021  | 69th | 17 October 2023  | Rocketry: The Nambi Effect | Ek Tha Gaon
2022  | 70th | 8 October 2024  | Aattam | Ayena
2023  | 71st | TBA | 12th Fail | Flowering Man

## Current categories

[edit]

The awards are categorized into three sections; Feature film, Non-feature film, and Best Writing on cinema. With each section having its individual aims, Feature Film and Non-Feature Film sections aim at encouraging the production of films of aesthetic and technical excellence and social relevance, contributing to the understanding and appreciation of cultures of different regions of the country in cinematic form, thereby promoting unity and integrity of the nation.[1] The Best Writing on cinema section aims to encourage the study and appreciation of cinema as an art form and dissemination of information and critical appreciation of the art form through the publication of various books, articles, reviews, newspaper coverage, and studies.[8] In addition, a lifetime achievement award, named after the father of Indian cinema Dadasaheb Phalke, is awarded to a film personality for the outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema.[8][9]

All the award winners are awarded a Medallion, a cash prize, and a certificate of merit. Six categories from the Feature Films section, three from the Non-Feature Films and Best Writing on Cinema sections each have been made eligible for Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus Award), and the rest of the categories for Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus Award).[8][10]

### Lifetime Achievement

[edit]

List of current Lifetime Achievement categories by year introduced  Year introduced  | Category

|

1969 | Dadasaheb Phalke Award

### Feature film

[edit]

List of current Feature film categories by year introduced  Year introduced  | Category

|

Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal)
1953 | Best Feature Film
1953 | Best Children's Film
1967 | Best Direction
1974 | Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
1980 | Best Debut Film of a Director
2022 | Best Film in AVGC (Best Animation Film)
Silver Lotus (Rajat Kamal)
1954 | Best Bengali Feature Film
1954 | Best Hindi Feature Film
1954 | Best Kannada Feature Film
1954 | Best Malayalam Feature Film
1954 | Best Marathi Feature Film
1954 | Best Tamil Feature Film
1954 | Best Telugu Feature Film
1955 | Best Assamese Feature Film
1960 | Best Gujarati Feature Film
1960 | Best Odia Feature Film
1962 | Best Punjabi Feature Film
1965 | Best Konkani Feature Film
1967 | Best Actor in a Leading Role
1967 | Best Actress in a Leading Role
1967 | Best Music Direction
1967 | Best Male Playback Singer
1967 | Best Screenplay
1967 | Best Cinematography
1968 | Best Female Playback Singer
1968 | Best Lyrics
1968 | Best Child Artist
1972 | Best Manipuri Feature Film
1976 | Best Sound Design
1976 | Best Editing
1978 | Special Mention
1979 | Best Production Design
1984 | Best Actor in a Supporting Role
1984 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role
1984 | Best Costume Design
1985 | Best Bodo Feature Film
1991 | Best Choreography[a]
2006 | Best Make-up
2016 | Best Stunt Choreography
2022 | Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values
2022 | Best Film in AVGC (Best Visual Effects)

### Non-feature film

[edit]

List of current Non-feature film categories by year introduced  Year introduced  | Category

|

Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal)
1953 | Best Non-Feature Film
1991 | Best Debut Film of a Director[b]
2000 | Best Direction
Silver Lotus (Rajat Kamal)
1967 | Best Animation Film
1978 | Special Mention
1985 | Best Arts / Cultural Film
1987 | Best Short Film
1990 | Best Cinematography
1990 | Best Editing
1990 | Best Sound Design
1993 | Best Music Direction
2003 | Best Narration / Voice Over
2022 | Best Non Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values
2022 | Best Biographical / Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film
2022 | Best Documentary
2022 | Best Script

### Writing on cinema

[edit]

List of current Writing on cinema categories by year introduced  Year introduced  | Category

|

Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal)
1981 | Best Book on Cinema
1984 | Best Film Critic

## Discontinued and intermittent categories

[edit]

Main article: Discontinued and intermittent National Film Awards

## Records

[edit]

List of films with most awards  Film (Year)  | No. of awards won

|

Lagaan (2001)  | 8
Bajirao Mastani (2015)  | 7
Godmother (1998)  | 6
Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)  | 6
Aadukalam (2010)  | 6
RRR (2022)  | 6
Kutty Srank (2009)  | 5
Soorarai Pottru (2020)  | 5
Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)  | 5

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Although the category was introduced in 39th National Film Awards (1991), there was no winner. The first winner was announced during the 40th National Film Awards (1992).
2. ^ The category was remained in the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) section since the introduction, but was moved to Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) section during the 70th National Film Awards (2022).[11]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Explained: The National Film Awards, their history, significance, and recent trends". 22 July 2022.
2. ^ Official site Directorate of Film Festivals
3. ^ Film Festival Archived 17 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
4. ^ "69th National Film Awards: Here's the complete winner list". 17 October 2023 - via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
5. ^ "70th National Film Awards: Heavy criticism from industry for ignoring contributions to sound recording and mixing". Hindustan Times. 25 February 2024.
6. ^ "National Awards 2022 Winners" - via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
7. ^ a b c 55th National Film Awards Regulations. Eligibility. Pages 2–3.
8. ^ a b c "59th National Film Awards: Regulations" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 2,4,12,14,22,24,25,30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
9. ^ "Dadasaheb Phalke Award Past Recipients". Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
10. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (24 August 2023). "'RRR' Wins Big at India's National Film Awards".
11. ^ Under Secretary to the Government of India (14 December 2023). "Report on Rationalization of Awards Conferred by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting | Government of India". Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Retrieved 25 August 2024.

### Further reading

[edit]

* Matthew, K.M. (2006), Manorama Yearbook 2006, Malayala Manorama, India, ISBN 81-89004-07-7

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Film Awards, India.

* Official website
* National Film Awards at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

National Film Awards

* Directorate of Film Festivals
* Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
* Cinema of India

Lifetime Achievement|

* Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Feature Films|

| Golden Lotus Awards|

* Feature Film
* Direction
* Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
* Children's Film
* Debut Film of a Director
* Film in AVGC (Animator and Producer & Director)

|

Silver Lotus Awards|

* Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values
* Film in AVGC (VFX Supervisor)
* Actor in a Leading Role
* Actress in a Leading Role
* Actor in a Supporting Role
* Actress in a Supporting Role
* Child Artist
* Music Direction
* Male Playback Singer
* Female Playback Singer
* Lyrics
* Production Design
* Sound Design
* Choreography
* Cinematography
* Costume Design
* Editing
* Make-up
* Screenplay
* Stunt Choreography
* Special Mention

Silver Lotus Awards
(Regional)|

Languages specified in the Eighth schedule of the Constitution of India:

* Assamese
* Bengali
* Bodo
* Dogri
* Gujarati
* Hindi
* Kannada
* Kashmiri
* Konkani
* Malayalam
* Manipuri
* Marathi
* Maithili
* Odia
* Punjabi
* Sanskrit
* Tamil
* Telugu
* Urdu

Languages other than those specified in the Eighth schedule of the Constitution:

* Bhojpuri
* Garo
* Haryanvi
* Jasari
* Khasi
* Kodava
* Kokborok
* Ladakhi
* Mishing
* Mizo
* Monpa
* Pangchenpa
* Rabha
* Sherdukpen
* Tiwa
* Tulu
* Wancho

Discontinued Awards|

* Second Best Feature Film
* Third Best Feature Film
* Story
* Film Based on High Literary Work
* Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation
* Film on Family Welfare
* Film on National Integration
* Film on Other Social Issues
* Special Jury Award
* Animated Film
* Special Effects

Non-Feature Films|

| Golden Lotus Awards|

* Non-Feature Film
* Direction
* Debut Film of a Director

|

Silver Lotus Awards|

* Non Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values
* Documentary
* Arts/Cultural Film
* Biographical/Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film
* Animation Film
* Short Film
* Script
* Sound Design
* Cinematography
* Editing
* Music Direction
* Narration / Voice Over
* Special Mention

Discontinued Awards|

* Experimental Film
* Industrial Film
* Agriculture Film
* Anthropological/Ethnographic Film
* Biographical Film
* Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film
* Environment/Conservation/Preservation Film
* Exploration/Adventure Film
* Film on Family Welfare
* Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film
* Investigative Film
* Promotional Film
* Scientific Film
* Film on Social Issues
* Filmstrip
* News Review
* Newsreel Cameraman
* Special Jury Award

Writing on Cinema|

| Golden Lotus Awards|

* Book on Cinema
* Film Critic

|

Special Awards|

* Special Mention (Book on Cinema)
* Special Mention (Film Critic)

Awards by year|

| 1953–1960|

* 1953 (1st)
* 1954 (2nd)
* 1955 (3rd)
* 1956 (4th)
* 1957 (5th)
* 1958 (6th)
* 1959 (7th)
* 1960 (8th)

|

1961–1980|

* 1961 (9th)
* 1962 (10th)
* 1963 (11th)
* 1964 (12th)
* 1965 (13th)
* 1966 (14th)
* 1967 (15th)
* 1968 (16th)
* 1969 (17th)
* 1970 (18th)
* 1971 (19th)
* 1972 (20th)
* 1973 (21st)
* 1974 (22nd)
* 1975 (23rd)
* 1976 (24th)
* 1977 (25th)
* 1978 (26th)
* 1979 (27th)
* 1980 (28th)

1981–2000|

* 1981 (29th)
* 1982 (30th)
* 1983 (31st)
* 1984 (32nd)
* 1985 (33rd)
* 1986 (34th)
* 1987 (35th)
* 1988 (36th)
* 1989 (37th)
* 1990 (38th)
* 1991 (39th)
* 1992 (40th)
* 1993 (41st)
* 1994 (42nd)
* 1995 (43rd)
* 1996 (44th)
* 1997 (45th)
* 1998 (46th)
* 1999 (47th)
* 2000 (48th)

2001–2020|

* 2001 (49th)
* 2002 (50th)
* 2003 (51st)
* 2004 (52nd)
* 2005 (53rd)
* 2006 (54th)
* 2007 (55th)
* 2008 (56th)
* 2009 (57th)
* 2010 (58th)
* 2011 (59th)
* 2012 (60th)
* 2013 (61st)
* 2014 (62nd)
* 2015 (63rd)
* 2016 (64th)
* 2017 (65th)
* 2018 (66th)
* 2019 (67th)
* 2020 (68th)

2021–present|

* 2021 (69th)
* 2022 (70th)
* 2023 (71st)

* v
* t
* e

Major film awards by countries

Africa|

* Marrakech International Film Festival (Morocco)
* Ghana Movie Awards (Ghana)
* Africa Movie Academy Awards (Nigeria)
* South African Film and Television Awards (South Africa)

Asia|

| Central|

* Didor International Film Festival (Tajikistan)

|

East|

* Golden Rooster Awards, Hong Kong Film Award, Hundred Flowers Awards and Huabiao Awards (China)
* Japan Academy Film Prize (Japan)
* Grand Bell Awards Buil Film Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards (South Korea)
* Golden Horse Awards (Taiwan)

South|

* National Film Awards, Meril-Prothom Alo Awards, Bachsas Awards (Bangladesh)
* National Film Awards (India)
* National Film Awards (Nepal)
* Lux Style Awards, ARY Film Awards and Nigar Awards (Pakistan)

Southeast|

* Myanmar Motion Picture Awards (Myanmar)
* Citra Awards (Indonesia)
* Malaysia Film Festival (Malaysia)
* FAMAS Award, Gawad Urian and Luna Award (Philippines)
* Suphannahong Awards (Thailand)
* Vietnam Film Festival and Kite Awards (Vietnam)

West|

* Hafez Awards (Iran)
* Ophir Award (Israel)
* International Antalya Film Festival (Turkey)

Europe|

| East|

* Czech Lion Awards and Czech Film Critics' Awards (Czech Republic)
* Polish Film Awards and Golden Lions (Poland)
* Gopo Awards (Romania)
* Golden Eagle Award and Nika Award (Russia)
* Sun in a Net Awards (Slovakia)
* Vesna Award (Slovenia)
* Golden Dzyga (Ukraine)

|

North|

* Robert Awards and Bodil Awards (Denmark)
* Estonian Film and Television Awards (Estonia)
* Jussi Awards (Finland)
* Irish Film & Television Awards (Ireland)
* Lielais Kristaps (Latvia)
* Sidabrinė gervė (Lithuania)
* Amanda Award (Norway)
* Guldbagge Awards (Sweden)
* British Academy Film Awards (United Kingdom)

South|

* Heart of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
* Golden Arena Awards (Croatia)
* Hellenic Film Academy Awards (Greece)
* David di Donatello and Nastro d'Argento (Italy)
* Golden Camera Awards (Macedonia)
* Sophia Awards (Portugal)
* Goya Awards (Spain)
* FEST (Serbia)
* Media Wave Awards (Hungary)

West|

* Austrian Film Award (Austria)
* Magritte Award and Ensor Award (Belgium)
* César Awards (France)
* German Film Award (Germany)
* Golden Calf (Netherlands)
* Swiss Film Award (Switzerland)

North America|

* Canadian Screen Awards (Canada)
* Ariel Award (Mexico)
* Academy Awards (United States)

Oceania|

* AACTA Awards (Australia)
* New Zealand film and television awards (New Zealand)

South America|

* Argentine Academy of Cinematography Arts and Sciences Awards (Argentina)
* Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro (Brazil)
* Altazor Award (Chile)
* Macondo Awards (Colombia)

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