National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director (non-feature film)

The National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the National Film Development Corporation of India. It is one of several awards presented for non-feature films and awarded with Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal).

National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director
National award for contributions to non-feature films
Awarded forBest debutant directorial work for a short film of a year
Sponsored byNational Film Development Corporation of India
Formerly calledNational Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director (1991–2021)
Reward(s)
  • Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus)
  • ₹3,00,00
First awarded1991 (Instituted in 1989)
Last awarded2022
Most recent winnerBasti Dinesh Shenoy
Highlights
Total awarded29
First winnerReena Mohan

The award was instituted in 1989, at 37th National Film Awards and awarded annually for films produced in the year across the country, in all Indian languages. Since the 70th National Film Awards, the name was changed to "Best Debut Film of a Director" and was changed the status from Silver Lotus to Golden Lotus.[1] Also, the director is alone eligible for the award since this edition.

Winners

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Award includes 'Rajat Kamal' (Silver Lotus) and cash prize. Following are the award winners over the years:

Indicates a joint award for that year
List of award recipients, showing the year, film(s), language(s), producer(s), director(s) and citation
Year Film(s) Language(s) Producer(s) Director(s) Citation Refs.
1991
(39th)
Kamlabai  • Marathi
 • Hindi
Reena Mohan Reena Mohan
The director has presented a sensitive and heartwarming portrait of a remarkable woman who was the first lady of the Indian screen and a versatile stage actress.
[2]
1992
(40th)
Knock-Out Tamil B. Lenin B. Lenin
The director has given us a powerful insight into the labyrinth of the human mind faced with a disaster situation.
[3]
1993
(41st)
Bazar Sitaram Hindi Neena Gupta for Films Division Neena Gupta
For presenting a delicate and sensitive portrayal of the culture, traditions and milieu of Old Delhi as a personalised experience.
[4]
1994
(42nd)
A Little War Hindi FTII Atanu Biswas
For a restrained performances that its camera elicits.
[5]
1995
(43rd)
All Alone If Need Be English Amulya Kakati Ranjit Das
For a sensitive portrayal of Shri Sarat Chandra Sinha, simple upright man of principles with uncompromising integrity and human qualities both in his personal and public life.
[6]
1996
(44th)
Yeh Woh Sahar To Nahin Hindi FTII Sudhakar Rao
For its imaginative use of sound and visuals to capture the undercurrents of human response to outer tensions.
[7]
1997
(45th)
Mizhavu – A Silent Drum Beat English P. D. Raphel K. R. Subhash
For its total and absorbing cinematic presentation of a unique and little-known percussion instrument.
[8]
1998
(46th)
Repentance Malayalam Mohan Agashe for Films Division Rajeev Raj
For exploring new forms of cinematic expression and images.
[9]
1999
(47th)
Deivangal Padiyirangumbol
(When Gods Depart)
Tamil Pradeep Kumar Pradeep Kumar
For its objective and well-researched point of view on the lives of tribes in the Wayanad region; it captures their fragile existence cause in the process of change.
[10]
2000
(48th)
Meena Jha Hindi Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Anjalika Sharma
For its innovative approach in narrating a story of adolescent human experiences, treated in a stylised manner.
[11]
2001
(49th)
Diary of a Housewife Malayalam  • Asha Joseph
 • Vinod Sukumaran
Vinod Sukumaran
For the innovative approach in narrating the pathos of a housewife who is waiting for her husband to return from war.
[12]
2002
(50th)
Paramapatham Tamil Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu Prabhu Radhakrishnan
For displaying a mature control of film form and weaves a taught, powerful and short narrative fiction to tell the story of a sculptor as the unanswered questions of his life unfold.
[13]
Beyond or Within English P. T. M. Payyoli Vinod Mankara
For its balanced exploration through an informative documentary on the ancient occult science and practice of the controversial Mantravada.
2003
(51st)
An Encounter with a Life Living  • Hindi
 • English
Vinu Abraham Suja
For depicting the plight of a physically incapacitated Sarasu and her cheerful will to live. The director achieves this bringing out the totality, spiritual richness of a "life lived only in the mind" – through an innovative narrative idiom.
[14]
2004
(52nd)
Ek Sagar Kinaree... A Seaside Story  • Marathi
 • English
Gomantak Marathi Academy Laxmikant Shetgaonkar
For handling the simple and delicate relationship between ordinary human beings in a very profound evocative and enterprising manner, within a commercialised compulsive atmosphere.
[15]
2005
(53rd)
John and Jane English Ashim Ahluwalia Ashim Ahluwalia
For an evocative film capturing the essence of call centres in urban India, its pressures and the dualities of life in this new reality.
[16]
2006
(54th)
Andhiyum Malayalam N. Dinesh Rajkumar Jacob Varghese
For displaying command over the medium that goes far beyond the level expected from a first film.
[17]
2007
(55th)
Lal Juto Bengali Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Shweta Merchant
For its conventional handling of a renowned literary text. The element of surprise is presented in an effortless manner, spontaneous and full of miraculous madness.
[18]
2008
(56th)
Vitthal Marathi  • Vinoo Choliparambil
 • Manu Pushpendran
Vinoo Choliparambil
For a sensitive portrayal of the latent violence building up in a child against the ritualistic social norms which are forced on him. The filmmaker demonstrates maturity and dexterity in handling the script and the actors, bringing out the complexity of a child’s mind trapped in a world of adults.
[19]
2009
(57th)
Vaishnav Jan Toh Hindi FTII Kaushal Oza
For sensitive handling of a thought provoking film that reflects the strength of nonviolence and Gandhian values – so relevant even today.
[20]
Ekti Kaktaliyo Golpo Bengali FTII Tathagata Singha
For a promising debut showing imagination and flair to weave a tale of fantasy.
2010
(58th)
Pistulya  • Marathi
 • Telugu
Nagraj Manjule Nagraj Manjule
For a delightful exposition of the poignant life of a poverty-stricken child, who nurtures a dream of embracing the source of learning through education, with simplicity and fluency. The director portrays the spirit of adventure of the child, through fine performances.
[21]
2011
(59th)
The Silent Poet Meitei Borun Thokchom Borun Thokchom
For depicting in his very first film in a simple yet poignant cinematic language the struggle and dilemma faced by ordinary citizens in North east India through the evocative poetry of Irom Sharmila the icon of non-violent resistance.
[22]
2012
(60th)
Eka Gachha Eka Manisa Eka Samudra Oriya Veenu Bhushan Vaid Lipika Singh Darai
For its gentle and strongly evocative recalling of the memory of a childhood music teacher, expressed without nostalgia, communicating a deep loving respect in a form that is poetic and intimate, with an unassuming confidence remarkable for a first film.
[23]
2013
(61st)
Kanyaka Malayalam Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Christo Tomy
For its wholly convincing mise-en-scene set in a convent run by Malayali nuns, wherein the grief and guilt of the young protagonist is presented in a manner that leaves a lot to the imagination of the viewer.
[24]
2014
(62nd)
Goonga Pehelwan Drishti Media  • Mit Jani
 • Prateek Gupta
 • Vivek Chaudhary
For its fun, yet mature portrayal of its protagonist, a champion at the Deaf Olympics. It pointedly questions the politics that impede this capable athlete’s route to the Rio Olympics.
[25]
2015
(63rd)
Daaravtha Marathi Nishantroy Bombarde Nishantroy Bombarde
A stepping stone towards reinventing the age old shackles of society.
[26]
2016
(64th)
Soz...A Ballad of Maladies Rajiv Mehrotra Tushar Madhav
A Brave And Refreshing Approach To Look at Complex Political Issues Weaved Beautifully Through Music And Poetry.
[27]
2017
(65th)
Water Baby Varun Shah Pia Shah
A sensitive portrayal of adolescent fears and aspirations, displaying promising directorial talent.
2018
(66th)
Feluda: 50 Years of Ray's Detective Sagnik Chatterjee Sagnik Chatterjee
For springing to life and celebrating Satyajit Ray's most popular fictional character, with depth and aesthetic, across varied media.

References

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  1. ^ Under Secretary to the Government of India (14 December 2023). "Report on Rationalization of Awards Conferred by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting | Government of India". Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  2. ^ "39th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  3. ^ "40th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  4. ^ "41st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  5. ^ "42nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  6. ^ "43rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  7. ^ "44th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  8. ^ "45th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  9. ^ "46th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  10. ^ "47th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  11. ^ "48th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  12. ^ "49th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  13. ^ "50th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  14. ^ "51st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  15. ^ "52nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  16. ^ "53rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  17. ^ "54th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  18. ^ "55th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  19. ^ "56th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  20. ^ "57th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  21. ^ "58th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  22. ^ "59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  23. ^ "60th National Film Awards Announced" (PDF) (Press release). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  24. ^ "61st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. 16 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  25. ^ "62nd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  26. ^ "63rd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  27. ^ "64th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
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