About National Film Awards:
- The National Film Awards were established in 1954, when the awards were given for the films of the year 1953.
- It aims at encouraging the production of films of aesthetic & technical excellence and social relevance and also to increase appreciation of different cultures and communities across India.
- The awards were initially called ‘State Awards’ and two President’s Gold Medals, two certificates of merit, and 12 silver medals for regional films were presented in the earlier years.
- The National Film Awards are given in three sections: Feature Films, Non-Feature Films, and Best Writing in Cinema.
- These awards have been administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.
Key points about the Directorate of Film Festivals
- It was set up under this Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 1973.
- Objectives: Promotion of Indian films and cultural exchange through organization of various events in the country and participation in various International film festivals abroad.
- The Directorate of Film Festivals has been designated as the Nodal Agency for scrutiny of applications received for financial assistance under the Film Promotion Fund.
