Regional films shine in non-feature category at National awards

Films from around the country emerged winners in the Non-Feature category at the 60th National awards, with the Raja Shabir Khan-directed Shepherds of Paradise in Gojri and Urdu being adjudged the Best Film.

The film was lauded for portraying the life of a nomadic shepherd family of Kashmir with an energy that goes far beyond empathy, creating a moving and compelling narrative that is vividly committed to its subject.

'Shepherds of Paradise' shared the Best Cinematography award with Marathi film Kaatal, which won the Best Direction (Vikrant Pawar) and Best Short Fiction awards as well.

Odia film 'Eka Gachha Eka Manisa Eka Samudra', helmed by Lipika Singh Darai, was named the Best Debut Film of a Director.

The Best Anthropological/Ethnographic Film award went to Sourav Sarangi-directed Bengali film Char... The No-Man's Land, while Celluloid Man, directed by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur in English, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali, was given the Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction and Best Editing awards.

Director Gouri Patwardhan's Marathi film 'Modikhanyachya Don Goshti' was named the Best Arts/Cultural Film, while Nirmal Chander's Hindi and Urdu film Dreaming Taj Mahal, was declared the Best Promotional Film.

The award for the Best Environment Film Including Agriculture went to Timbaktu (English). Malayalam film Behind The Mist was named Best Film on Social Issues.

Manipuri Pony was given the Best Exploration/ Adventure Film award, while English film Inshallah Kashmir was called the Best Investigative Film.

The Special Jury award in the Non-Feature category was shared between English films I Am Micro and Cancer Katha.

The Best Film on Family Values award went to After Glow (English and Gujarati); Kutchi film Do Din Ka Mela was awarded for Best Audiography and Moni Bordoloi was given the Best Narration/Voice Over National award for the Assamese film Suranjana Deepali.

Films Pinch of Skin, Allah Is Great and the animated Raah were given Special Mention.