The National Award was first introduced in 1954. The awards were introduced to encourage and honor films directed across India to promote national integration and unity.
The government appoints a jury consisting of eminent persons in the fields of cinema, other related arts and humanities to select the winner. The committee follows strict criteria to qualify a film for the winners list. Every year the award ceremony is held in the national capital, Delhi. There the President of India will present the awards for that year.
All award winning films are screened for the public following this event. Every year more than 100 films from across the country are directed and qualify for the award-winning list.
Initially given as ‘State Awards’. For the first six years, two President’s Gold Medals, two Certificates of Merit and Silver Medals for a dozen regional films were awarded to the best regional films. The number of awards is increasing every year.
Separate awards for film artists and technicians were introduced in 1967. In 1968, Nargis Dutt and Uttam Kumar became the first actress and actor to win the Urvashi Award for Best Actress and the Bharat Award for Best Actor respectively.
Currently the awards are presented in three categories: Best Feature Film, Non-Feature and Best Writing in a Cinema. Selection of winners in features and non-features is scrutinized and announced under various categories.
Meanwhile, ‘Great Writing on Cinema’ is presented with a focus on promoting the study and appreciation of cinema as an art form, and on disseminating information and critical appreciation.
The awards aim to encourage the production of films with aesthetic, technical excellence and social relevance that contribute to the understanding and appreciation of the cultures of different parts of the country in the form of cinema.
Awards are given in various categories like Best Film, Actor, Actress, Director, Lyricist, Narrator, Singer, Sound Arranger, Music Arranger, Editor, Make Up Artist, Professional Artists. Dada Sahib Phalke Award for lifetime achievement.
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