Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 352/06

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR THE 53ND NATIONAL FILM AWARDS

The Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India invites application in prescribed proforma from film personalities for the 53nd National Film Awards and Best Writing on Cinema. The awards are aimed at encouraging the production of films of aesthetic, technical excellence and social relevance, contributing to the understanding and appreciation of cultures of different regions of the country in cinematic form, thereby promoting integration and unity of the nation.

The awards will be given in two categories (i) Feature Films and (ii) Non Feature Films. In the Feature Films category, awards will be given for Best Feature Film, Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director, Award for best popular film providing wholesome entertainment, Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, Best Film on Family Welfare, Best Film on social issues, Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation, Best Children’s Film, Best Direction, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Child Artist, Best Male and Female Playback Singer, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Audiography, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Designer, Best Music Direction, Best Lyrics, Special Jury Award, Best Special Effects, Best Choreography, Best Feature Film in languages specified in the Schedule VIII of the Constitution and Best Feature Film in languages other than those specified in the Schedule VIII of the Constitution.

In the Non Feature Films category, awards will be given for Best Non-feature film, Best First Non-feature film of a Director, Best Anthropological/ Ethnographic Film, Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction/Compilation film, Best Arts/Cultural Film, Best Scientific Film/Environment Conservation/Preservation Film, Best Promotional Film, Best Agriculture Film, Best Film on social issues, Best Educational/ Motivational/Instructional Film, Best Exploration/Adventure Film, Best Investigative Film, Best Animation Film, Special Jury Award, Short Fiction Film, Best Film on family welfare, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Audiography, Best Editing, Best Music Direction and Best narration/voice over.

In addition, a Dada Saheb Phalke Award will also be given to a film personality for his/her outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema.

The entry form, film print, material and all correspondence should reach the Director, Directorate of Film Festivals (NFA Cell), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Siri Fort Auditorium Complex, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi – 110 049 latest by May 19, 2006. Interested persons can contact through telephone no. 26499371, 26499378 or Fax to 26497214 or e-mail to dir.dff@hub.nic.in or ddmfr.dff@hub.nic.in. or visit the website http:/mib.nic.in/dff.

Detailed information and application form can be obtained from the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Meghalaya, Shillong.