National Film Award – Special Mention (non-feature film)

For Special Jury Award for non-feature films, see National Film Award – Special Jury Award (non-feature film).

National Film Award – Special Mention
National award for contributions to non-feature films
Instituted in 1978
Sponsored byNational Film Development Corporation of India
Formerly calledSpecial Commendation (1978)
Reward(s)Certificate of merit
First awarded1978
Last awarded2022
Most recent winnerAimee Baruah
Partha Sarathi Mahanta
Highlights
Total awarded70
First winner
Loksen Lavnani for Films Division

The National Film Award – Special Mention 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. The recipients of Special Mention are awarded with certificate of merit.

The award was instituted in 1978, at 26th National Film Awards and awarded annually for the short films produced in the year across the country, in all Indian languages.

Winners

Award includes only certificate of merit for the recipients of Special Mention. This award considers all the aspects of film making than individual area. Following are the award winners over the years:

List of award recipients, showing the year (award ceremony), awarded as, film(s), language(s) and citation
Year Recipient(s) Awarded as Film(s) Language(s) Citation Refs.
1978
(26th) 		Loksen Lavnani for Films Division Director The Burning Stone English
For the sincerity and commitment of the filmmaker in this stark and uncompromising film in which the raw truth is portrayed with no attempt to make it palatable.
 [1]
1979
(27th) 		No Award
1980
(28th) 		Adoor Gopalakrishnan  • Producer
 • Director 		The Chola Heritage English
For its outstanding photography of the Chola sculpture.
 [2]
Films Division Producer Pampa English
For its sensitive handling of a purposeful theme, encouraging initiative as a child.
P. C. Sharma Director
1981
(29th) 		No Award [3]
1982
(30th) 		No Award [4]
1983
(31st) 		National Institute of Design Producer Jalshakti Hindi  – [5]
I. S. Mathur Director
Kerala State Film Development Corporation Producer Thalam Malayalam
Joy Mathew Director
National Institute of Design Producer Energy-Merry-Go-Round English
 – Best Biographical Film Veer Savarkar Marathi
 – Best Scientific Film Handling Fuel Oils Fission Power 306 Rejuvenation English
 – Best Exploration/Adventure Film Against Current Exploration Antartica English
 – Best Anthropological/Ethnographic Film Cobra: The Snake God English
Perumkaliattam Malayalam
Leather Puppetry of Karnataka English
Nishan Hindi
 – Best Exploration/Adventure Film Against Current Exploration Antartica English
 – Best Historical Reconstruction Film Tambaccucha Samna Marathi
Bidaai Hindi
1984
(32nd) 		No Award [6]
1985
(33rd) 		FTII Producer Prisoners of Circumstances Telugu
For its objective presentation of the inhuman treatment of children in remand homes.
 [7]
Ramesh Handoo Director
R. K. Gupta Producer Anukaran Telugu
For a poignant of discrimination against women in Indian society.
Gul Bahar Singh Director
1986
(34th) 		No Award [8]
1987
(35th) 		Ashok Gunjal Cameraman The Kingdom of God English
For his aesthetically pleasing and technically proficient camerawork.
 [9]
1988
(36th) 		N. H. Prasad Director Dispossession English
For its fresh and innovative experimentation with cinematic form, dealing with an unusual theme.
 [10]
1989
(37th) 		No Award [11]
1990
(38th) 		Raj Gopal Rao Director Technique of Seed Production in Wheat and Paddy English
For effective dissemination of agricultural information.
 [12]
Siddharth Kak Director Cactus and Roses English
For his sophisticated presentation of a pioneering industrial establishment.
Dilip Ghose Director Aadhi Haqueeqat Aadha Fasana Hindi
For deglamourising the world of cinema in the minds of innocent toddler talent.
Naresh Saxena Director Sambandh Hindi
For the excellent nucleus of an idea, building an emotional bridge between a family and a tree.
1991
(39th) 		Debal Basu Director Living on the Junk English
For his work in directing the film. The film is a sincere maiden effort in focussing attention on the significant contribution of ragpickers of a metropolis in minimising the treat to the environment from the junk of a consumerist society.
 [13]
1992
(40th) 		No Award [14]
1993
(41st) 		No Award [15]
1994
(42nd) 		Arun Kumar Roy  • Director
 • Screenwriter 		Of Tagore and Cinema English
In acknowledgement of its archival value.
 [16]
Gautam Haldar Director The Story of Integration English
In acknowledgement of his painstaking attempt to bring its subject to life.
Kaviyoor Sivaprasad  • Director
 • Screenwriter
 • Editor 		Ormaynde Theerangalil Malayalam
In acknowledgement of his lyrical evocation of the passage of time.
1995
(43rd) 		Arvind Singh Director Ajit Hindi
For his sensitive portrayal of migrant child labour.
 [17]
Rashmi Film Society Producer Ithihasathile Khasak  • English
 • Malayalam
For its brave attempt to interpret a literary work, cinematically.
Biswadeb Dasgupta  • Producer
 • Director 		Majhi Bengali
For presenting with sincerity that human values ultimately triumph.
1996
(44th) 		No Award [18]
1997
(45th) 		Gul Bahar Singh Director Gotipua English
For a well researched portrayal of the still-vital dance form which is the predecessor and creative source of the Odissi tradition.
 [19]
1998
(46th) 		Unni Vijayan Director Jee Karta Tha Hindi
For his realisation of an innovative and a personalised style of constructing the film.
 [20]
1999
(47th) 		Vinod Subramanian Director Fire  • English
 • Hindi
For its imaginative and multifaceted presentation of the theme.
 [21]
2000
(48th) 		Amal Neerod C. R. Cameraman Meena Jha Hindi
For his pictorial vision and capturing of images imaginatively showing great promise.
 [22]
Haimanti Banerjee Director Balgandharv Marathi
For effectively capturing the spirit of the legendary Marathi theatre personality Balgandharv, the singer, well known for his portrayal of women characters.
2001
(49th) 		A. R. Tripathi Producer Kalahandi  • Oriya
 • English
For his carefully crafted words giving an additional dimension to the film.
 [23]
Sonali Kulkarni Actress Chaitra Marathi
For the subtle display of her wide range of emotions.
2002
(50th) 		Raja Mitra Director Kalighat Paintings And Drawings English
For its significant achievement in documenting the rich artistic tradition and its implicit social commentary.
 [24]
2003
(51st) 		Shilpi Dasgupta Director Mangali: An Exorcision  –
For the thoughtful and laudable craft that shaped the film.
 [25]
Aseem Bose Cameraman Water English
For enhancing the impact of the film with his eloquent lens, that captures the spirit of the subject of the film.
2004
(52nd) 		No Award [26]
2005
(53rd) 		Vibhu Puri Director Chabiwali Pocket Watch Hindi
For a director’s film with competent execution of a good concept with great art direction, cinematography and performances.
 [27]
Bidyut Kotoky Director Bhraimoman Theatre Assamese
For its fascinating picture of a cultural sub-world of Assam, capturing true moments of emotion and joy.
2006
(54th) 		Kuldip Sinha Producer Special Children English
For highlighting the problems faced by special children or differently abled children and their families-an aspect of our society that is still not receiving adequate attention.
 [28]
Suresh Menon Director
2007
(55th) 		No Award [29]
2008
(56th) 		Aniket Rumade Child actor Vitthal Marathi
For his excellent portrayal of a young boy, Vitthal, dealing with ritualistic norms forced on him and his struggle to contain the anger brewing within.
 [30]
2009
(57th) 		Nikita Bhagat Cinematographer Vilay  –
For her evocative and path breaking camerawork. The innovative use of shift focus brought, images, textures and emotions to life.
 [31]
2010
(58th) 		Shiny Jacob Benjamin Director Ottayal
(One Woman Alone) 		Malayalam
For a heart warming portrayal of the woman Daya Bai, who trades along a challenging path in quest of truth. The director, delves into the spirit of the woman to understand the theology of liberation, with sincerity and intelligence.
 [32]
Ronel Haobam Director The Zeliangrongs  • Manipuri
 • English
For a well researched endeavour to reflect a composite group of ethnic communities of common origin and socio-cultural back-ground, which highlights the rich cultural heritage and the tribes' traditional way of life, which is on the brink of extinction.
Suraj Pawar Child actor Pistulya  • Marathi
 • Telugu
For displaying, under distressing situation and harsh reality, Pistulya, the child protagonist, the authenticity with vibrant and emotive expression.
2011
(59th) 		Spandan Banerjee Director You Don’t Belong  • Bengali
 • English
For creating an enjoyable musical journey that reveals the growth of a song from the pen of a poet to mainstream culture.
 [33]
Renu Savant Director Airawat  • Marathi
 • Hindi
For imaginatively painting a layered world of memories and modernity in a small town neighbourhood.
2012
(60th) 		Priya Goswami Director Pinch of Skin  • English
 • Hindi
A film that explores a shocking reality amongst women of a particular community. It gives us a rare view into a world of hidebound sexual tradition.
 [34]
Andrea Iannetta Director Allah Is Great  • English
 • Hindi
 • Danish
A subtly humorous look at life and the vagaries of fate.
Sanjay Jangid Animator Raah  –
For exploring an innovative style of animation and the creation of arresting images.
2013
(61st) 		Shweta Ghosh Director Accsex  • English
 • Hindi
For vigorously taking up the challenge of exploring sexuality in women perceived to be differently abled.
 [35]
Kavita Bahl Director Candles in the Wind  • Punjabi
 • Hindi
For its chilling depiction of the ground realities in the bread basket of India. The tone and texture of the film contradict the prevalent narrative of it being the best place to live and work.
Nandan Saxena
Madonne Ashwin Director Dharmam Tamil
For its searing critique of middle class hypocrisy and a corrupt society as seen through the eyes of an impressionable child.
Rajdeep Paul Director At the Cross Roads : Nondon Bagchi Life and Living  • English
 • Bengali
For an entertaining biography of a wonderfully engaging personality, with shades of a near chaotic life style, set in a period known for its path-breaking music.
Sarmistha Maiti
2014
(62nd) 		Mrinal Dev Director Gunjaa English
For poignantly telling the story of Gunjaa, a young girl in Bihar, and her innocent but ironic understanding of death.
 [36]
Manoj Kumar Nitharwal Director Seek and Hide English
For its fine juxtaposition of a child’s expression of fear with the unawareness of the parents to elucidate a complex story of pedophilia.
Ruchir Arun Director 5 O'Clock Accident English
For its gritty story and compelling treatment of a voyeuristic teenager and the darkness that comes with his obsession.
2015
(63rd) 		Arun Shankar Director The Chameleon English
For the twists and turns of a distorted mind.
 [37]
Neelan Director Amma Malayalam
For the rich tapestry of an era of struggle seen through the eyes of the protagonist.
Varun Tandon Director Syaahi Hindi
For conglomeration of sense and sensibilities depicted through the innocence of a young mind.
2016
(64th) 		Soumya Sadanandan Director Chembai: Descoperire A Mea Unei Legende
This film brings to focus the person of Chembai as musician as well as a human being with vigour and vitality.
 [38]
Ramen Borah Director Sikar Aru Sitkar
An important film that uses raw visual imagery to highlight the brutality of poaching.
Sibanu Borah
Amitabh Parashar Director The Eyes of Darkness
An important film that sheds light on the denial of justice to victims of a heinous crime.
2017
(65th) 		Jayaraj Director Rebirth
A heartfelt film focussing on the quest of the differently-abled for meaningful and dignified lives.
Rukshana Tabassum Director Cake Story
A vibrant father–son relationship directed with great dexterity and humour.
Swapnil Vasant Kapure Director Afternoon
An insightful portrayal of a woman finding courage to fight her demons.
2018
(66th) 		Sagar Puranik Director Mahaan Hutatma Kannada
depicting the life of Bhagat Singh
Ramana Dumpala Director Glow Worm in a Jungle English
Sameer and Kishore Sadhwani Director Laddoo Hindi
[39]

References

  1. ^ "26th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  2. ^ "28th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  3. ^ "29th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  4. ^ "30th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  5. ^ "31st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  6. ^ "32nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  7. ^ "33rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  8. ^ "34th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  9. ^ "35th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  10. ^ "36th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  11. ^ "37th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  12. ^ "38th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  13. ^ "39th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  14. ^ "40th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  15. ^ "41st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  16. ^ "42nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  17. ^ "43rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  18. ^ "44th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  19. ^ "45th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  20. ^ "46th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  21. ^ "47th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  22. ^ "48th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  23. ^ "49th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  24. ^ "50th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  25. ^ "51st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  26. ^ "52nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  27. ^ "53rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  28. ^ "54th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  29. ^ "55th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  30. ^ "56th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  31. ^ "57th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  32. ^ "58th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  33. ^ "59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  34. ^ "60th National Film Awards Announced" (PDF) (Press release). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ "62nd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  37. ^ "63rd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  38. ^ "64th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  39. ^ "66th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2019.