66th National Film Awards Winners to Be Declared After Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Says I&B Ministry

New Delhi, April 24: The 66th National Film Awards will be announced after the 17th General Elections 2019 comes to an end, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said on Wednesday. The National Film Awards winners are usually announced in the month of April every year.

But due to Lok Sabha polls this year, it has been delayed.Established in 1954, the National Film Awards is the most prominent awards ceremony in India. National Film Awards 2018: KJ Yesudas, Director Jayaraj Criticised For Attending the Event After Signing the Protest Petition.

66th National Film Awards to be declared after General Elections, 2019

as the awards also include one for the most film friendly state. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force so the awards will be declared after the election process is over and the MCC concludes.

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2019

The awards are administered along with the International Film Festival of India and Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1972. For the national award, the winners are selected by an unbiased jury comprising of significant filmmakers and personalities.

The official ceremony of the 65th National Awards took place on May 3, where President Ram Nath Kovind handed over the awards to the respective winners.