Benegal to chair panel on upgradation of National Film Awards

The first meeting of the Expert Committee set up by the Goverment to suggest measures for the upgradation of the National Film Awards (NFA) was held here today and members chose eminent film-maker Shyam Benegal as their Chairman.

The meeting also decided that the committee would submit its recommendations by March 15, 2010 to be able to make qualitative changes for NFA 2009.

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni told the committee that the Government was looking forward to its recommendations so that a revamped National Film Awards 2009 could be presented for the public at large.

She urged the members to lay out a time schedule so that the National Film Awards become an annual fixture. She said every effort must be made to lay out a proper, democratic and transparent procedure so that litigation is minimised, if not completely avoided, so as not to derail the schedule as happened in the recent past.

Members of the committee acknowledged that the National Film Awards carried a dignity and importance not rivalled by another awards in the industry because they gave due recognition to pan-Indian cinema.

They suggested that, keeping in view the technological advancements, more categories in the Awards recognising newer professional fields, newer formats such as digital format and newer media should be recognised. They were also of the view that a two-tier jury – regional and then national level jury should be appointed to do justice to the language nuances/regional significance.

The members also suggested that in keeping with the earlier recommendations of the Satyajit Ray Committee and Karanth Committee reports, a "Chalchitra Academy" should be established. Increase in the cash reward of the Awards and rationalizing the Censor procedures were also discussed.

Apart from Mr Benegal, others present at today's meeting were Ashok Vishwanathan, Jahnu Baruah, Mohan Agashe, Nagesh Kuknoor, Rajiv Mehrotra, Shaji Karun, Vishal Bhardwaj, Sai Paranjapye and Sharmila Tagore. Senior officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Directorate of Film Festivals were also present.

This Committee shall make recommendations regarding up gradation of National Film Awards for Feature, Non-Feature and Best writing on Cinema and the Dada Saheb Phalke Award and the resultant changes to be made in the Regulations thereto.

NNN