The National Film Award — Special Mention (Feature Film) is a certificate of merit presented by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. It is one of several honours presented for feature films. The recipients of Special Mention are presented with a certificate of merit, without any trophies or cash prizes.
The certificate was instituted in 1978, at 26th National Film Awards and awarded for films produced in a given year across the country, in all Indian languages.
Winners
List of award recipients, showing the year (award ceremony), awarded as, film(s), language(s) and citation
For their film, a sensitive exploration of a woman's experience of loneliness in the context of the inexorable passage of time, culminating on a positive note of redemption through symbolic images.
For his poignant and memorable role for bringing alive the heartrending agony of a boatman and his grandson, who is not only deserted by his son, but also his life sustaining river – his only source of livelihood.
For recreating and bringing to life an ambiance and characters that help lend credibility to a difficult and complex scenario. Sensitively handled and a sustained performance where the camera and lights have been used as an extension of the creative story teller.
For her natural portrayal of an innocent adolescent who becomes psychologically disturbed due to loneliness and rejection, finally her mental and emotional balance.
For an industry that has steadfastly refused to acknowledge and reward its creative fountainhead – the creator of its stories – the citation acknowledges a literary giant, the late Dr. Shivaram Karanth. The citation also acknowledges his valuable association with the world of Indian cinema.
For boldly essaying the role of Nadira, a young Muslim woman, persecuted by a rigid patriarchal system. She faithfully portrays the nuances of her character well as she goes through a turbulent married life even as she maintains a fine balance between the film's melodramatic form and the reality of the conditions in which many Indian women are trapped.
For the unique visualisation of the world of a hearing impaired child in rural Kerala. He skilfully combines folk tale, performance and simple graphics to illustrate the growth of an introverted boy who reconciles his impoverished world with the facts of life. He also inserts the cinematic landscape with folk rituals and performances.
For the portrayal of a village housewife from the oppressed and downtrodden class who fights for her dignity and honour in the face of extreme adversities
For his realistic portrayal of an impressionable yet responsible poor boy, living in the unlikely environs of a crematorium and his coming of age on the demise of his father in the Marathi film Dhag.
For the minute and nuanced manner in which he assays the imperceptible transformation of a carefree youth into a compassionate and responsible young man.
A powerful portrayal of the real story of Lata Kare, struggling for survival on the one side and at the same time venturing into running and winning the Baramati marathon at the age of sixty five.
The director interestingly portrays the life of a struggling folk artist and his son aspiring to enter a world renowned painting school in the backdrop of popular folk theatre (Dasaavatar).