71st National Film Awards

 71st National Film Awards : Recently, the 71st National Film Awards, celebrating the cinematic excellence of 2023, were announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

o This edition received 332 entries in the feature film category, 115 in non-feature films, 27 books, and 16 critics’ submissions.

• Major Awards: Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (Hindi) – Based on IPS officer Manoj Kumar's life.

o Best Actor (Joint Winners): Shah Rukh Khan – Jawan (Hindi) (Maiden National Award) & Vikrant Massey – 12th Fail (Hindi)

o Best Actress (Joint Winners): Rani Mukerji – Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway (Hindi), Nithya Menen – Thiruchitrambalam (Tamil) & Manasi Parekh – Kutch Express (Gujarati)

o Best Director: Sudipto Sen – The Kerala Story (Hindi)

• About National Film Awards: Instituted in 1954, the awards were first given for films released in 1953.

o Administered by: The Directorate of Film Festivals (since 1973), which also manages the International Film Festival of India and Indian Panorama.

o Award Components: Each winner receives a medallion, cash prize, and a certificate of merit.

o Top Awards: Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus Award): Given in 6 Feature Film categories and 2 each from Non-Feature Films and Best Writing on Cinema.

ü Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus Award): Given in all other categories.

o Objective: To promote films of aesthetic and technical excellence and foster national integration and cultural appreciation.

• Eligibility Criteria: Production: Films must be produced in India.

o Nationality: The director and key creative personnel must be Indian nationals.

o Certification: Must be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31 of the award year.