Three committees were instituted in order to judge the various entries for feature film, non-feature film and best writing on cinema sections, headed by the National award-winning director, Shaji N. Karun, for feature films and Aruna Raje Patil for non-feature films and Sunil Gangopadhyay for best writing on cinema.[2]
Each chairperson announced the award on 23 January 2010[3] for their respective sections and award ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi with President of India, Pratibha Patil giving away the awards on 20 March 2010.[4][5]
Awards
Awards were divided into feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema.
Citation:For its honest look at a burning problem in Northeast India, its attempt to break down artificial boundaries and giving it a human and aesthetic appeal.
Citation:For its remarkable integration of three different plots using the sense of smell at as a liet motif to focus sensitively on human relationships.
Producer: M. Durganand Director: Shivadhwaj Shetty
₹ 1,00,000/- Each
Citation:For its attempt to preserve traditional folk forms.
Non-feature films
Short films made in any Indian language and certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a documentary/newsreel/fiction are eligible for non-feature film section.
Juries
A committee headed by Aruna Raje Patil was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. The jury members were:[1][2]
Citation:For a courageous depiction of the non-violent resistance of the people of Manipur to protest against a legislation, which undermines the values of self-respect and the fundamentals of democracy. The documentation process by various crews and the way it is chronicled offers multiple perspectives.
Citation:With immense sensitivity, the film offers a slice of life of a physically challenged person, which transcends into a telling cinematic practice of minimalism and control. A poetic exploration that breathes the indomitable spirit of these real characters playing themselves, way above its bleak mise-en-scene.
Producer: Vinoo Choliparambil and Manu Pushpendran Director: Vinoo Choliparambil
₹ 1,00,000/- Each
Citation: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.
Producer: Altaf Mazid, Zabeen Ahmed and Susanta Roy Director: Altaf Mazid
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For a film which uniquely depicts the long arduous struggle of a community to build check dams using their indigenous engineering skills. An experiential journey which transcends documentation and makes the viewer participate in the process.
Citation:For traversing vast stretches of time and geographical space, this film deftly puts together strands of information, perception, evidence and historical contexts to reconstruct a compelling narrative about the gruesome assassination of a world leader.
Producer: MGR Film and TV Institute Director: S. Murali Manohar
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For using powerful imagery and ironical juxtaposition, the film depicts the life of a Koothu artist. With subtlety, it captures the frustration and the hopelessness of a performer whose art is a misfit in a changing cultural world.
Citation:For the film with a simple, almost lighthearted, treatment evolves into a powerful message of conservation. Using an unconventional music track and animation, the film jolts the viewer to relook at waste and pollution.
Producer: Harshavardhan G. Kulkarni, Kirti Nakhwa and Amitabh Shukla Director: Harshavardhan G. Kulkarni
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For using a bottle as a metaphor for a journey of discovery, the filmmaker finds an innovative style to explore various locations through people and their experiences, challenging the classical promotional style of selling tourism.
Citation:With breath taking images of the higher Himalayas and the nomadic people living in this harsh climate and terrain, the film effectively explores the relationship of the Rupshupas with their livestock and how critical it is for their survival.
The Assassination Of Rajiv Gandhi – A Reconstruction
English
Producer: Films Division Director: R. Krishna Mohan
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For traversing vast stretches of time and geographical space, this film deftly puts together strands of information, perception, evidence and historical contexts to reconstruct a compelling narrative about the gruesome assassination of a world leader.
Producer: Public Service Broadcasting Trust Director: Hemjyotika and Devi Prasad Mishra
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For a compelling portrait of a woman who rises above her circumstances in an unconventional way, carving out a position for herself irrespective of how others view her.
Buru Gaara
Hindi
Producer: Public Service Broadcasting Trust Director: Shriprakash
Citation:For the journey of two adivasi women from Jharkhand, finding their identity and dignity using language - one through poetry and the other through grassroots journalism. The film creates a space where the narratives of the women emerge as powerful tales of their struggle for empowerment.
Producer: Gulshan Sachdeva Director: Aman Sachdeva
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For an innovative campaign for the eradication of polio - the film follows the polio afflicted who take the initiative for mass awareness by going door to door.
Citation:For an inspiring portrayal of an HIV positive person who dramatically transforms his life and becomes a champion body builder. A first person narrative, it provides a new perspective on AIDS and our understanding of sports.
Producer: Ms. Rongsenkala Director: Bani Prakash Das
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For evoking painful memories of World War II as experienced by people of North East India, after the Japanese invasion. Through war wreckages found in the jungles and first person accounts, the film stitches together a moving story of affected families long forgotten.
Citation:For a well knit theme-oriented film, complemented by 2D graphics and a restrained colour palette. A strong message about leadership emerges through the film making it relevant to the contemporary times.
Producer: Film and Television Institute of India Director: Emmanuel Palo
₹ 50,000/- Each
Citation:For weaving a complex contemporary form of expression, through fragmented stories of a few sparsely connected lives in transit, over an omnipresent dark urban reality of economic disparity, alienation, and bad faith.
Citation:For scoring with a very tender story that transforms into a moving portrayal of a child's attachment to her toy and her grandfather's dilemma when he loses it. A sensitive film that offers fresh insights into a child's imagination and needs.
Citation:For providing with amazing discipline and sensitivity, an intimate insight into the lives of a small family, living in a confined space, with exquisite use of composition, rhythm, lensing and lighting.
Citation:For using highly sophisticated texture and tonal work, with deep anticipation into the flow and narrative of the film, the cinematography strives to redefine ways of image making and experience.
Citation:With multiple layers of sound, and the incessant crackle of funeral pyres that cease to sleep, the film grips its audience with a sense of entrapment around the life of children working inside a cremation ground. It is a telling example of digetic sound design keeping its truth to the reality of the location.
Citation:For a delicately interwoven edit of three sparsely connected contemporary urban tales of alienation. Developing a rhythm with parallel and simultaneous stories, the cutting sculpts an extremely powerful contemporary form.
Citation:For a sensitive and evocative musical score, with an amazing use of the violin ensemble, which is both a deeply personal and universal experience.
Citation:Constrained by the stifling and searing world of children working in cremation grounds, the film helps them to recreate a world of their own. The director captures rare reflexive moments of the children and makes the viewers live their pain, joys and dreams.
Citation: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.
Best Writing on Cinema
The awards aim at encouraging study and appreciation of cinema as an art form and dissemination of information and critical appreciation of this art-form through publication of books, articles, reviews etc.
Juries
A committee headed by Sunil Gangopadhyay was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. The jury members were:[1][2]
Citation:For sailing down the mainstream of Hindi film music but manages to find rivulets of solace all his own. He blends substance with style, taking care not to appear too profound or flimsy. He brings out the lesser known aspects of popular Hindi film songs thereby infusing them with fresh dignity. Ganesh delves into the ragas of film songs, keeping some space for little banter between artists.
Citation:For a straight laced expression marks Altaf Mazid’s works. His simple narration of subjects is backed up by a researcher’s keen eye. He talks of the specific in a universally acceptable manner. No flourishes, he focuses on Assamese film industry with steadfastness and perseverance. Quite appropriately too, for an industry that is now celebrating its Platinum jubilee.
Citation:For taking the readers to a state little known to our film makers. He understands cinema like few others, bringing with him an open mindset that accepts the plurality of thought. He upholds the cause of regional film makers and his ability to focus on cultural relativity does not leave him even when he talks of international cinema. He loves films and it shows in his works.
Special mention
All the award winners are awarded with Certificate of Merit.[1][8]
Citation:For giving a fresh insight into the works of timeless luminaries. That is no mean achievement considering Ujjal talks of works of some of biggest film makers. Rather than confusing the readers with technical jargon, Ujjal brings to the fore the ethos of film making, revealing the masterpieces of past Masters.
Awards not given
The following awards were not given as no film was found to be suitable:[1][8]