New award to recognise states' contribution to films

Aiming to promote the film industry, the government has decided to institute a new award category under the national film awards especially to recognise the states' contribution to films.

The award -- tagged as the Most Film Friendly State/Union Territory -- will be conferred for the first time at the 63rd National Film Awards to be given on May 3, 2016 by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The information and broadcasting ministry has also decided to establish a Film Facilitation Office at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) premises, ministry secretary Sunil Arora said at the inaugural function for the Public screening of Indian Panorama-2015 films at Siri Fort Auditorium here on Monday.

"The objective of setting up the office is to provide single window clearance to filmmakers and promote India as a filming destination. This would also enable creating a film-friendly environment in the country," said Arora.