The National Film Awards is the most prominent and prestigious award of Nepali cinema. The first National Film Award was held in 2005, in the presence of His Majesty's King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah. The event is held at the residence of the president of Nepal and the president (as a Head of Nation) gives the awards to the winners in various categories. It is yearly organised by Film Development Board, Nepal (government organisation, which looks after film industry of Nepal).[1][2]
National Film Awards 2005 (2062 BS)
The Film Development Board of Nepal organized the National Film Awards 2005 at Birendra International Convention Center, Kathmandu, Nepal. The award's nomination was declared in the presence of His Majesty's Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.
Winners of the awards:
Best National Language Film: Kab Hoi Milanwa Hamaar
Best Story: Naru Thapa for Bandhaki
Best Script: Prithvi Rana for Pareni Maya Jaalai Ma
Best Dailog: Yugesh Rayamaji for Bandhaki
Best Child Artist Sushmita Regmi for Pahuna
Best Re-Recording: Mukesh Shah for Bandhaki
Best Editor: Banish Shah for Bandhaki
Best Dance Director: A. Kamal Rai for Bandhaki and B. Birendra Hamal for Agnipath
Best Vocal Female: Sapana Shree for Dharmatmaa
Best Vocal Male: Prakash Shrestha for Bacha Bandhan (Song Title: Jaba Maile...)
Best Lyricist: Suresh Adhikari for Muglan
Best Art Direction: Nirjal Shrestha for Bir GaneshMan
Best Cinematographer: Dirgha Bir Gurung for Jeevan Rekha
Best Supporting Actor (Female): Mithila Sharma for Karmayodhha
Best Supporting Actor (Male): Mukunda Shrestha for Kartavya
Best Comedy Actor: Kiran KC for Meri Aama
Best Actor in Negative Role: Dilip Rayamajhi for Baaji
Best Actress : Jal Shah for Yastai Rahecha Zindagi
Best Actor: Nikhil Uprety for Hami Teen Bhai
Best Director: Kishor Rana Magar for Bandhaki
Best Film : Bandhaki for Radhe Krishna Films Pvt. Ltd. (Daktar SIngh Gurung)
Critics Award: Mala Sinha for Maitighar
Film Excellence Honor of Nepal for Dev Anand, Indian Actor, Director
The films and winners were selected from the films released in the year 2004 (2061 BS).
National Film Awards 2006 (2063 BS)
The Film Development Board of Nepal organized the National Film Awards 2006 in Rastriya Nach Ghar, Kantipath, Kathmandu. on 16th Asadh 2067, on the occasion of Anniversary Day of Film Development Board, Nepal.
Winners of the awards:
Best Cinematographer: Dirgha Bir Gurung for Bharosa
Best Actor in Supporting Role: Rajesh Hamal for Maryadaa
Best Actress in Supporting Role: Tara K.C for Jana Yuddha
Best Editor: Banish Shah for Jana Yuddha
Best Cinematographer: Raju Bikram Thapa for Darr
Best Actress for Indigenous movie: Melina Manandhar for Balamaiju
Best Actor for Indigenous movie: Tej Bahadur Tamang
The films and winners were selected from the films released in the year 2006 (2063 BS).
National Film Awards 2008 (2065 BS)
The National Film Award 2008 (2065) was distributed on 1 July 2008. The awards were handed over by the then prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) with legendary Indian actor Mala Sinha. The award was organized by the Film Development Board of Nepal. Janayudha was chosen as the best film and Ujwal Ghimire was awarded as best film director of the year for his film Kismat.[3]
National Film Awards 2010 (2067 BS)
The Film Development Board of Nepal organized the National Film Awards 2010 after a gap of three years at Rashtriya Naachghar, Kathmandu.[4]
Winners of the awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Uddhab Poudel
Best Film: Chodi Gaye Paap Lagla
Best Director: Ujwal Ghimire for Chodi Gaye Paap Lagla
The films and winners were selected from the films released in the year 2009 (2066 BS).
National Film Awards 2011 (2068 BS)
The Film Development Board of Nepal organized the National Film Awards 2011 at Shital Niwas, Kathmandu, where President Ram Baran Yadav presented the awards. Ujwal Ghimire won the best director national award 2011 for his film Andaj. Tara Bahadur Thapa (Kimvhey) won the best Editor National Film Award 2011 for his film "Desh". Yash Kumar won the best National playback singer Award 2011 from the movie Bato Muniko Phool
National Film Awards 2012 (2069 BS)
The Film Development Board of Nepal organized the National Film Awards 2012 Kathmandu.
Winners of the awards:
Best Cinematographer: Purusottyam Pradhan for Vijilaante 3D
The films and winners were selected from the films released in the year 2011 (2068 BS).
National Film Awards 2013
The Film Development Board of Nepal organized the National Film Awards 2014.The films and winners were selected from the films released in the year 2013.
Best Cinematographer: Purusottam Pradhan for Nai Nabhannu La 2
Best Documentary Editor: Lawa Pyakurel for Nijamati: Under Fire[6][7][8] ("The National Film Award is organized by the Film Development Board of Nepal. This is incorrect information; the Film Development Board of Nepal does not give awards for documentaries. Only feature films are eligible for the National Film Award.")
Best Documentary Film: Nijamati: Under Fire[9] ("The National Film Award is organized by the Film Development Board of Nepal. This is incorrect information; the Film Development Board of Nepal does not give awards for documentaries. Only feature films are eligible for the National Film Award.")
National Film Awards 2015 (2071 BS)
The Film Development Board of Nepal organized the National Film Awards 2015 at Shital Niwas, Kathmandu, where President Ram Baran Yadav presented the awards.[10]
Best Cinematographer: Shailendra Dhoj Karki for Zhigrana
Best Indigenous Film: Matan
Out of the 87 films released in 2014 (2071 BS), 60 were considered for award nomination. The jury members were Karishma Manandhar, Rajendra Shalav, Kapil Parajuli, Hemanta Budhathoki and Dipendra Lama.[11]
National Film Awards 2016 (2072 BS)
The Film Development Board of Nepal organized the National Film Awards 2016 at Shital Niwas, Kathmandu. President Bidhya Devi Bhandari presented the awards.
The decisions for the awards were made by a committee led by Ramesh Budhathoki. The members of the committee were Laya Sangarula, Sarita Lamichhane, Mohan Niraula, Sushil Poudel and Karun Thapa. The films and winners were selected from the films released in the year 2015 (2072 BS).[12][13][14]