Starting this year, the Film Association of Bhutan (FAB) and the Bhutan Information, Communications, and Media Authority (BICMA) will work together to host the Bhutan National Film Awards. The awards, which are fully supported by the government, will take place every year on February 21, which is also His Majesty’s birth day.Building on the awards’ heritage while emphasizing responsibility, equity, and openness is the aim, according to BICMA. Controversies and accusations of corruption and favoritism have plagued several of the FAB’s past award ceremonies.
Yesterday’s celebration, which also marked His Royal Highness the Gyalsey’s ninth birthday, saw the unveiling of a new logo and trophy. An open competition was used to select the logo.A number of adjustments will be made to the Bhutan National Film Awards in 2024 in an effort to raise its profile.The nominations are now more competitive and selective because there are just 21 prize categories instead of the previous 30.Nine of the 18 submissions have made it to the 2024 awards shortlist.
“BICMA has changed the standards and chosen an impartial jury to prevent conflicts of interest in order to guarantee justice and openness. From now on, BICMA and FAB will work together to conduct the award, BICMA Director Jigme Wangdi said.In addition to encouraging the upcoming generation of filmmakers and advancing Bhutan’s film industry, the award seeks to honor and commemorate Bhutanese artists. Additionally, the awards provide a forum for fostering creative brilliance, inventiveness, and ingenuity.