Nandi awards for short films from next year

Rajamahendravaram: Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation (APFDC) Chairman Ambika Krishna announced that Nandi awards will also be given in short-films category from next year on par with cinema, TV and theatre awards.

Inaugurating the nine-day Nandi Natakotsavams Selection Competitions at Sri Venkateswara Anam Kala Kendram here on Wednesday, Ambika Krishna said a short-film festival will also be held in Amaravati shortly after consulting Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and added short-films were giving a good message to society in a short time.

He said APFDC was encouraging theatre arts by giving Nandi awards. “Nandi awards will infuse confidence among stage artists and APFDC is also giving pensions and other benefits to them. It is the duty of everyone to conserve theatre arts for posterity,” he said.

APFDC had received as many as 360 entries across the state to participate in Nandi Natakotsavams, he said and added the selection competitions were so far held in Tenali and Kakinada and now, in Rajamahendravaram followed by Kurnool and Nandyal, for 82 days, in which 3,600 stage artists have been participating.

Stating that the APFDC was spending Rs 1 crore for the selections and giving cash awards to respective Kala Parishads, he said moreover, APFDC was also arranging accommodation and food to the artistes.

“Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is very much particular about developing theatre arts and asking APFDC to conduct theatre arts regularly. Nandi Natakotsavams will be held in Eluru on April 16 to present Nandi awards to best stage plays, playlets and padya natakams. Former chief minister NT Rama Rao started Nandi awards in theatre arts and Chandrababu Naidu is continuing the same tradition,” he said.

He appealed to people to encourage theatre arts as the government is putting its endeavour in this regard. Stating that the government took initiative to develop film industry in the state, Ambika Krishna said that he met nine top cinema heroes out of 14 with a request to take at least one schedule in the state.

Each schedule takes at least 10 day-time and if 14 heroes plan their schedules, cinema shootings held for 140 days in the state, he said and added the government decided to give many incentives, free permission for locations along with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh to films shooted at below Rs 4 crore in the State.