17th National Film Awards
| 17th National Film Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Best of Indian cinema in 1969 |
| Presented by | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting |
| Presented on | 21 November 1970 |
| Site | University Centenary Auditorium, Madras |
| Official website | dff.nic.in |
| Highlights | |
| Best Feature Film | Bhuvan Shome |
| Most awards | Bhuvan Shome (3) |
The 17th National Film Awards, presented by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in 1969. Ceremony took place at University Centenary Auditorium, Madras on 21 November 1970.
With 17th National Film Awards, a new award was introduced, to honour the Father of Indian Cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, better known as Dadasaheb Phalke, which over the years became the most prestigious and coveted award of Indian Cinema. Named as Dadasaheb Phalke Award, introduced to recognise the contribution of film personalities towards the development of Indian Cinema. Starting with birth centenary of Phalke (1969), this award is to be awarded annually for the distinguished contribution.
Six different committees were formed based on the film making sectors in India, mainly based in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras along with the award categories. Another committee for all India level was also formed which included some of the members from regional committee. For 17th National Film Awards, central committee was headed by Justice G. D. Khosla.
Awards were divided into feature films and non-feature films.
President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film is now better known as National Film Award for Best Feature Film, whereas President's Gold Medal for the Best Documentary Film is analogous to today's National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film. For children's films, Prime Minister's Gold Medal is now given as National Film Award for Best Children's Film. At the regional level, President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film is now given as National Film Award for Best Feature Film in a particular language. Certificate of Merit in all the categories is discontinued over the years.
Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 17th National Film Awards, a Bengali film Bhuvan Shome won the President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film, with also winning the maximum number of awards (three). Following were the awards given in each category:
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