New Delhi , March 19, 2010: The 56th National Film Awards 2008 was presented to the winners at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today by President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

The auspicious occasion was attended by awardees, Union In formation and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and eminent media personalities from across the country.

Among the 23 list of awardees, Producer Bacha spatimayum Sanju and Director Haobam Paban bagged the best non feature film award with Swarna Kamal medal and Rs one lakh for "AFSPA 1958". Another State film "Shingnaba" also produ ced and directed by B Sanju won the best exploration and adventure film with the Rajat medal and a cash prize of Rs 50,000. Elangbam Natasha' s narration in "Sanakeithel" was categorized the best narration.

She was conferred the Rajat medal with a cash prize of Rs 50,000.RK Bidur's understanding and taking the cause of regional film makers was recognized as the best film critic with Swarna Kamal medal and a cash of Rs 75,000. AFSPA 1958 was cited the best-for its courageous depiction of non violent protest and offering a multiple perspectives from its chronological process.

An exploratory film "Shingnaba" provides a new outlook on people living with HIV with an angle of the victim himself as the first person narrative.

The gentle and intimate voice in "Sanakeithel" takes the audience through the heritage and tradition of the "Eema" market, managed by women exclusively providing beautiful insights.

Speaking to The Sangai Express before the award ceremony, Producer/Director Sanju with three awards said, "all my three film entries got selected in different category".

Accepting the fact that AFSPA is an important subject on account of situation in Manipur and the continued resistance by the people.

Director Paban reveals that "the subject matter is important, but to be adjusted the best in the completion a film need to be all round perfect in conceiving, treatment etc".

Adding to this, Sanju said " for a non feature film or a documentary it requires indepth understanding as well as sensitivity of the film maker".

Stating that a film like AFSPA 1958 is an intellectual, film.

R.K.Bidur noted the need for frequent film screening for critics so as to develop and evolve good films.

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