| National Film Award for Best Children's Film | |
|---|---|
| National award for contributions to Indian Cinema | |
| Sponsored by | Directorate of Film Festivals |
| Formerly called | Prime Minister's Gold Medal for the Best Children's Film |
| Reward(s) |
|
| First awarded | 1954 |
| Last awarded | 2023 |
| Most recent winner | Gandhi & Co. |
| Highlights | |
| Total awarded | 57 |
| First winner | Khela Ghar |
The National Film Award for Best Children's Film is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. It is one of several awards presented for feature films and awarded with Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal).
The award was instituted in 1954, at 1st National Film Awards and awarded annually for children's films produced in the year across the country, in all Indian languages; Hindi (28 Awards), Bengali (7 Awards), Malayalam and Kannada (6 each), English (5 Awards), Marathi (3 Awards), Tamil, Telugu, Oriya and Assamese (1 each).
Award includes 'Golden Lotus Award' (Swarna Kamal) and cash prize. Following are the award winners over the years:
| Awards legends | |
|---|---|
*
|
Swarna Kamal (Gold Medal) for the Best Children's Film |
*
|
Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Children's Film |
*
|
Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Children's Film |
*
|
Certificate of Merit for the Best Children's Film |
*
|
Indicates a joint award for that year |
| List of award films, showing the year (award ceremony), language(s), producer(s), director(s) and citation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film(s) | Language(s) | Producer(s) | Director(s) | Citation | Refs. |
| 1953 (1st) |
Khela Ghar | Bengali | Aurora Films | – | – | [1] |
| 1954 (2nd) |
No Award | [2] | ||||
| 1955 (3rd) |
No Award | [3] | ||||
| 1956 (4th) |
Jaldeep | Bengali | Children's Film Society | Kidar Sharma | – | [4] |
| 1957 (5th) |
Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke | Hindi | AVM Productions | P. L. Santoshi | – | [5] |
| Janmatithi | Bengali | R. B. Films | Dilip Mukherjee | – | ||
| 1958 (6th) |
Virsa and the Magic Doll | English | Little Cinema Pvt Ltd. | Santi P. Chowdhury | – | [6] |
| 1959 (7th) |
Banyan Deer | English | Films Division | • Ahmed Lateef • Shanti Verma • G. G. Saraiya |
– | [7] |
| 1960 (8th) |
Phool Aur Kaliyan | Hindi | Rajkamal Kalamandir | Ram Gabale | – | [8] |
| Idd Mubarak | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Khwaja Ahmad Abbas | – | ||
| Delhi Ki Kahani | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Rajendra Kumar | – | ||
| 1961 (9th) |
Hattogol Vijay | Hindi | Hari S. Dasgupta Productions | • Buju Das Gupta • Raghunath Goswami |
– | [9] |
| Savitri | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Phani Majumdar | – | ||
| Nanhe Munne Sitare | Hindi | Ajay Kumar Chakravarty | Ajay Kumar Chakravarty | – | ||
| 1962 (10th) |
Raju Aur Gangaram | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Ezra Mir | – | [10] |
| 1963 (11th) |
Panch Puthliyan | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Amit Bose | – | [11] |
| 1964 (12th) |
||||||
| 1965 (13th) |
The Adventure of A Sugar Doll | English | Children's Film Society | Kantilal Rathod | – | [12] |
| As You Like It | English | Children's Film Society | S. Shankar | – | ||
| 1966 (14th) |
||||||
| 1967 (15th) |
No Award | [13] | ||||
| 1968 (16th) |
Heerer Prajapati | Bengali | Children's Film Society | Shanti P. Chowdhury | – | [14] |
| 1969 (17th) |
No Award | [15] | ||||
| 1970 (18th) |
No Award | [16] | ||||
| 1971 (19th) |
Wings of Fire | English | – | – | – | |
| 1972 (20th) |
No Award | [17] | ||||
| 1973 (21st) |
No Award | [18] | ||||
| 1974 (22nd) |
No Award | [19] | ||||
| 1975 (23rd) |
No Award | [20] | ||||
| 1976 (24th) |
||||||
| 1977 (25th) |
Safed Haathi | Hindi | • R. A. Jalan • Pratap Agarwal |
Tapan Sinha |
For a film with which a quiet realism evokes the fascination and mystery of the jungle; for its mature emphasis on the harmonious relationship between man and nature; for the personal empathy portrayed between a child and creatures of the forest; for a story of lyrical charm and gripping adventure which educates even as it entertains children and grown-ups alike.
|
[21] |
| 1978 (26th) |
Joi Baba Felunath | Bengali | R. D. Bansal | Satyajit Ray |
For the wit and craftsmanship used to synthesise a child's world of fantasy with an adult story of crime and detection.
|
[22] |
| 1979 (27th) |
||||||
| 1980 (28th) |
No Award | [23] | ||||
| 1981 (29th) |
No Award | [24] | ||||
| 1982 (30th) |
No Award | [25] | ||||
| 1983 (31st) |
Bhombal Sardar | Bengali | Government of West Bengal | Nripen Ganguly |
For its lively and lyrical description of a world seen through the eyes of a boy.
|
[26] |
| 1984 (32nd) |
My Dear Kuttichathan | Malayalam | M. C. Punnoose | Jijo Punnoose | – | [27] |
| 1985 (33rd) |
Aazadi Ki Ore | Hindi | Sangeethalaya | P. S. Prakash |
For exploring man's cruelty to and exploitation of animals and, through an interesting story, inculcating in the minds of children the love of animals.
|
[28] |
| 1986 (34th) |
No Award | [29] | ||||
| 1987 (35th) |
Swamy | Hindi | T. S. Narasimhan | Shankar Nag |
For the delightful recreation of childhood and growing up in an Indian village during the freedom movement.
|
[30] |
| 1988 (36th) |
Manu Uncle | Malayalam | Joy Thomas | Dennis Joseph |
For endearing and hilarious picturisation which promotes a sense of adventure among children.
|
[31] |
| 1989 (37th) |
Ankur Maina Aur Kabootar | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Madan Bawaria |
For its involvement of children in the fight for preservation of wildlife in the exotically shot isle of Mauritius.
|
[32] |
| Jamboo Savari | Kannada | K. S. L. Swame (Lalitha Ravee) | K. S. L. Swame (Lalitha Ravee) |
For the way in which it establishes the conflict between a child's instinctive love for a wild animal and the reality of man-animal relationships in the modern world, along with the resolution of that conflict.
| ||
| 1990 (38th) |
No Award | [33] | ||||
| 1991 (39th) |
Abhayam | Malayalam | Children's Film Society | Sivan |
For its outstanding qualities as a film that entertains children and adults alike.
|
[34] |
| 1992 (40th) |
Mujhse Dosti Karoge | Hindi | National Center of Films for Children and Young People | Gopi Desai |
For its gentle handling of a child who has exciting adventures in his own social dream world.
|
[35] |
| 1993 (41st) |
Lavanya Preeti | Oriya | National Center of Films for Children and Young People | Apurba Kishore Bir |
For its subtle and delicate exposition of the growing-up process from childhood to adolescence through the use of myths and striking visuals.
|
[36] |
| 1994 (42nd) |
Kochaniyan | Malayalam | Bushura Shahudeen | Satheesh Vengannoor |
For a simple but effective tale of a middle class Kerala family told through the experiences and dreams of a young boy.
|
[37] |
| Abhay | Hindi | National Center of Films for Children and Young People | Annu Kapoor |
For an entertaining film advocating humane love between a child and a ghost advocating a rational outlook to life.
| ||
| 1995 (43rd) |
Halo | Hindi | National Center of Films for Children and Young People | Santosh Sivan |
For its refreshing approach to the subject and in bringing out the impact of urban insensitivity from a child's point of view leading to a memorable finale.
|
[38] |
| 1996 (44th) |
Damu | Bengali | Art Films | Raja Sen |
For charming story of a simpleton who keeps his word given to a child.
|
[39] |
| 1997 (45th) |
Ramayanam | Telugu | M. S. Reddy | Gunasekhar |
For presenting the classical Indian epic in an entertaining narrative style with child actors playing all the legendary characters with ease and verve. The film provides an opportunity for children to keep in touch with the country's cultural heritage.
|
[40] |
| 1998 (46th) |
Kabhi Pass Kabhi Fail | Hindi | National Center of Films for Children and Young People | Virendra Saini |
For weaving an enchanting tale that can be enjoyed by children of all ages and drawing memorable performances from its large cast of characters.
|
[41] |
| 1999 (47th) |
Goal | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Gul Bahar Singh |
For stressing the sportsmanship of a small town coach who supports, without any bias, the raw talent of an underprivileged aspirant with no education and with a social stigma.
|
[42] |
| 2000 (48th) |
Gharaksharangal | Malayalam | Salim Padiyath | Salim Padiyath |
For depicting, through the eyes of a child love and respect for our mother tongue and culture tackling many social issues pertaining to education, agriculture and general empowerment, for a civic society.
|
[43] |
| 2001 (49th) |
No Award | [44] | ||||
| 2002 (50th) |
Baaja | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Apurba Kishore Bir |
For its poignant, portrayal of the maturing of a young mind.
|
[45] |
| 2003 (51st) |
Tora | Assamese | Children's Film Society | Jahnu Barua |
For showing how a child brings down the boundaries and barriers created by adults.
|
[46] |
| 2004 (52nd) |
Chutkan Ki Mahabharat | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Sankalp Meshram |
The film is phantasanagonic story of a boy whose dreams start coming true suddenly. All hell breaks loose when a Nautanki comes to village to play Mahabharata and suddenly its story changes. The warring Kaurvas and Pandavas bury their differences and become friends even before the war has begun.
|
[47] |
| 2005 (53rd) |
The Blue Umbrella | Hindi | UTV Motion Pictures | Vishal Bhardwaj |
For its poetic and visually stunning interpretation of a story highlighting the values of selflessness and compassion.
|
[48] |
| 2006 (54th) |
Care of Footpath | Kannada | Shylaja Shrikanth | Kishan Shrikanth |
For articulating the burning desire for education in a slumdweller. The issue is particularly relevant, as the film is directed by a nine-year-old boy.
|
[49] |
| 2007 (55th) |
Photo | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Virendra Saini |
For unfolding a magic world of images and sound to a talented young child by highlighting the milestones of cinema history in a lucid manner.
|
[50] |
| 2008 (56th) |
Gubbachigalu | Kannada | Media House Studio | Abhaya Simha |
For imaginative portrayal of a magic world that exists in the minds of children.
|
[51] |
| 2009 (57th) |
Putaani Party | Kannada | Children's Film Society | Ramchandra P. N. |
For the novel idea of empowering children to work as a Panchayat to combat alcoholism that destroys their future.
|
[52] |
| Keshu | Malayalam | Children's Film Society | Sivan |
For the sensitivity that explores the lonely world of a specially enabled child and the inability of adults to recognise the genius in him.
| ||
| 2010 (58th) |
Hejjegalu | Kannada | Basanta Kumar Patil | P. R. Ramadas Naidu |
A little girl cheerfully takes on the challenge to preserve the fabric of her family.
|
[53] |
| 2011 (59th) |
Chillar Party | Hindi | • UTV Software Communications • Salman Khan |
• Vikas Bahl • Nitesh Tiwari |
For its skilful mediation on complex issues related to political corruption, media, child labour, and love for animals via an adorable group of children located in an apartment block of Mumbai. The director playfully and innovatively moves towards instilling a sense of responsibility and values both amongst children and adults. The result is a rare film that addresses our contemporary times with humour, wit, innocence and intelligence.
|
[54] |
| 2012 (60th) |
Dekh Indian Circus | Hindi | Mahaveer Jain | Mangesh Hadawale |
The attraction of a travelling circus in a rural ambiance and the travails of a housewife with two children wanting to view the circus. A compelling, yet entertaining children's film.
|
[55] |
| 2013 (61st) |
Kaphal | Hindi | Children's Film Society | Batul Mukhtiar |
A small village deep in Uttarakhand. A touching story set in beautiful mountains where two young boys pine for their father who has been away for quite a few years. They have dreams which they share with their close friends as they frolic around.
|
[56] |
| 2014 (62nd) |
Kaaka Muttai | Tamil | Grass Root Film Company | M. Manikandan |
For narrating a charming story of two brothers who are unaware of their deprived status and have a confrontation with the tastelessness of globalization.
|
[57] |
| Elizabeth Ekadashi | Marathi | Essel Vision Productions Ltd. | Paresh Mokashi |
For a delightful tale that reaffirms children's ability to negotiate the complexities of life with relative ease.
| ||
| 2015 (63rd) |
Budhia Singh – Born to Run | Hindi | Code Red Films | Soumendra Padhi |
Story of a child prodigy on his undying spirit to achieve the impossible.
|
[58] |
| 2016 (64th) |
Dhanak | Hindi | Drishyam Films | Nagesh Kukunoor |
In appreciation of exploring a child’s world devoid of malice.
|
[59] |
| 2017 (65th) |
Mhorkya | Marathi | Kalyan Rajmogli Padal | Amar Bharat Deokar | – | |
| 2018 (66th) |
Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai | Kannada | Rishab Shetty Films | Rishab Shetty |
The film effectively portrays the positive action of children to tackle the issue of language politics in schools located on State borders.
|
[60] |
| 2019 (67th) |
Kastoori | Hindi | Insight Films | Vinod Uttreshwar Kamble |
The wonderful concept which depicts the dignity of an individual child is more important than the exterior appearance.
|
[61] |
| 2020 (68th) |
Sumi | Marathi | Harshall Kamat Entertainment | Amol Vasant Gole |
For narrating the inspiring tale of a young girl who is keen on continuing her education in a distant place and the hurdles she faces.
|
[62] |
| 2023
(69th) |
Gandhi & Co. | Gujarati | Manish Saini | [63] | ||
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