New Delhi: An expert committee on revamping of the process to decide the National Film Awards is learnt to have recommended setting up of a two-tier jury for selecting movies for the top honours.
According to top ministry sources, the committee chaired by noted filmmaker Shyam Benegal has recently submitted its report to Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, wherein it is also said to have suggested upgrading of the awards to make them at par with international honours in the world of cinema.
Sources said recommendations also related to increasing the focus on pan-Indian cinema and for honouring new formats of filmmaking, like digital cinema. A suggestion regarding increase in cash awards is also said to have found space in the list of recommendations by the committee.
The panel also suggested setting up of a two-tier jury at both regional and national level, which would help in selection of films by better understanding their typical nuances and regional significance, the sources said.
They said changes in regulations related to the awards would also help in making the selection procedure more fool-proof, considering the fact that there have been several controversies in the past with even jury members complaining of favouritism over selection of a particular individual or a film for the awards.
A top official said seeking of a report from the panel by the ministry was an internal exercise and whatever the recommendations are, would be adopted by it for revamping the process, particularly in relation with the National Film
Awards for 2009 scheduled to be held in October this year.
The recommendations may not be made public, sources said adding that these would further be drafted into a report for the ministry`s consumption.
PTI
