Context:
Recently, the winners of the 70th National Film Awards for 2022 were announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
National Film Awards
- Established: The awards were introduced in 1954 and have been managed by the Directorate of Film Festivals, alongside the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, since 1973.
- Awards: Recipients are honored with a Medallion, a monetary reward, and a certificate of merit.
Award Categories
- Feature Films: Focuses on films that showcase both aesthetic and technical prowess. It aims to promote the appreciation of India’s diverse regional cultures and national unity.
- Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus Award) is given in six categories:
- Best Feature Film
- Best Direction
- Best Children’s Film
- Best Popular Film
- Best Film in the category of Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC).
- Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus Award) is given in six categories:
- Non-Feature Films: Recognizes films that are socially relevant and technically proficient.
- Awards:
- Best Non-Feature Film
- Best Debut Film of a Director
- Awards:
- Writing on Cinema: This category is for those who contribute significantly to the study and critical evaluation of cinema through various mediums.
- Awards:
- Best Book on Cinema
- Best Film Critic Award
- Awards:
Eligibility and Submission
- Eligibility: Entries must be produced in India, and the primary creators (directors and producers) must be Indian nationals. International co-productions must adhere to specific guidelines.
- Certification: Films need certification from the Central Board of Film Certification within the calendar year—between January 1st and December 31st.
- Participation: Annually, over 100 films from various categories are submitted for consideration.
Selection Process
- Juries: The Directorate of Film Festivals appoints juries with stringent eligibility criteria to evaluate submissions, ensuring that the selection process remains unbiased and not influenced by external parties.