The 10th national film award on May 2

Thimphu: The 10th film awards will be held on May 2 coinciding with the birth anniversary of His Majesty the third Druk Gyalpo.

Thirty-one films produced in 2010 will compete in 30 categories including the best culture-based film, best use of Dzongkha language, and best film on youth and education.

Motion Pictures Association of Bhutan (MPAB) says that the year 2010 has seen maximum film production.

Starting this year, the Royal Office for Media (ROM) will award a cash prize of Nu 50,000 and a certificate to the best film based on youth and education. The Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs will award a cash prize of Nu 100,000 for the best culture-based film and Nu 50,000 for the film that make maximum use of Dzongkha.

A jury comprising 12 members, which is divided into four working committees, started reviewing the 31 films since April 2.  The committee A judges the acting part, B records the direction, C sees the technical quality of the films, whereas the committee D, the special committee, evaluates the cultural aspect of the films – language and relevance. So far, 10 films have been reviewed.

“That 31 films were produced in a years is good news. It indicates improvement. Indeed, in just a few years, the Bhutanese film industry has grown at an impressive rate,” said Sherub Gyalthsen, the general secretary of MPAB.

Five best films will be nominated in the coming week.

The national film awards will be broadcast live on BBS TV.

By Namgay Tshering