National Film Awards-2020 will be distributed among the winners at a ceremony at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the city at 11am today.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join the ceremony as the chief guest through a videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will chair the function while Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Ministry Hasanul Haq Inu will attend it as the special guest.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Makbul Hossain will deliver the welcome address.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of National Film Awards giving ceremony.
They extended heartiest greetings and congratulations to film artistes, directors, producers, audiences and all concerned.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said film is a strong medium which inspires people in patriotism through presenting the history, heritage, hopes and aspirations as well as it entertains people.
Realising the immeasurable strength of film, the great architect of independent Bangladesh, the Greatest Bangalee of All Time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had placed the EPFDC Bill in the Provisional Legislative Assembly on March 27, 1957 while he was serving as the Minister for Industries, Commerce and Labour and the bill was passed on April 3 in the same year, he mentioned.
In continuation of the initiative of Bangabandhu, today's BFDC was established in Dhaka as a major milestone in progress of Bangla film, he said.
The President said the government has taken different steps for the expansion of film industry following the footprints of the Father of the Nation.
The initiative includes declaration of April 3 as 'National Film Day' and film as an industry and the initiatives of establishing Bangabandhu Film City at Kabirpur and Bangladesh Film and Television Institute, modernization of BFDC and constructing information complexes having modern Cineplex at every district, he mentioned.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Greatest Bangalee of All Times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's contributions to build the foundation of film industry in the country is undeniable.
Noting that Sheikh Mujib made the foundation during the pre-independence period, she said Bangabandhu had placed the EPFDC Bill in the Provisional Legislative Assembly on March 27 in 1957 while he was serving as the Minister for Industries, Commerce and Labour and the bill was passed on April 3 in the same year.
"Recalling the day, we observe National Film Day on April 3 every year," she said.
The premier said film had played an important role in encouraging the people in joining the great Liberation War by uniting 7.5crore people in 1971.
"We are witnessing film artistes' significant role in encouraging the people in abiding by health guidelines during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic," she said.
The Prime Minister said her Awami League government implemented some projects for the expansion of film industry in the last 13 years.
Construction of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Film City at Kaliakair, nearing Dhaka, establishment of Bangladesh Film and Television Institute, modernization of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation and Bangladesh Film Archive are specially mentionable, she said.
National Film Policy-2017 has been formulated, film censor act has been made time-befitting, she said.
The President and the Prime Minister wished a success of the National Film Awards 2020 giving ceremony.
Earlier on February 15 last, the names of the recipients of National Film Awards 2020 were announced in 27 categories.
'Gor (The Grave)' and 'Bishwoshundori' movies jointly won the award in the best film category.
Gor (The Grave) was jointly produced by Gazi Rakayet and Faridur Reza Sagar while Anjan Chowdhury was the producer of 'Bishwoshundori'.
Eminent artistes Anwara Begum and Raisul Islam Asad won the lifetime achievement awards for 2020 for their enormous contributions to the film industry.
Gazi Rakayet has been given the best director award for his film 'Gor'.
Siam Ahmed was named the best actor for leading role in film 'Bishwoshundori', while the best actress in leading role award 2020 went to Deepanwita Martin for film 'Gor'.
The best actor in supporting role award went to Fazlur Rahman Babu for film 'Bishwoshundori' while Aparna Ghose won the best supporting actress award for film 'Gondi'.
Misha Sawdagor was awarded best actor in a negative role for film 'Bir'.
Mugdhota Morshed Wriddhi won the best child artiste award for film 'Gondi'.
Belal Khan bagged the best music director's award for the song 'Bishshash Jodi Jayre' of the film 'Hridoy Jurey', while late Md Sahidur Rahman won the award in the best dance director category for film 'Bishwoshundori'.
The best singer award went to Imran Mahmudul (film 'Bishwoshundori'), while Dilshad Nahar Kona and Somnur Monir Konal were jointly got the best female singer awards for their songs in 'Bishwoshundori' and 'Bir' films.
Documentary 'Bangabandhur Rajnoitik Jibon o Bangladesher Obbhyudoy' directed by Syed Ashique Rahman, was awarded in the best documentary category, while short film 'Aarong', directed by Jannatul Ferdaus ,was awarded in the best short film category.
The other award winners are: Kabir Bakul (best lyricist), Imran Mahmudul (best composer), Gazi Rakayet (story), Gazi Rakayet (screenwriter), Fakhrul Arefeen Khan (dialogue), Shariful Islam (editor), Uttam Kumar Guha (best art direction), Pankaj Palit and Mahbub Ullah Niaz (jointly for best cinematographer), Md Shahadat Hasan Badhon (special award under best child artist category), Kazi Selim Ahmed (sound designer), Enamtara Begum (costume) and Mohammad Ali Babul (makeup).
