National Film Awards to Travel to India’s Top Tourist Destinations
By Antara Tripathy, IBG NEWS
New Delhi | September 22, 2026
The National Film Awards are set to move beyond their conventional venues, with the government planning to take the prestigious ceremony to some of India’s leading tourist destinations.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the initiative on Tuesday, inviting states and Union Territories to propose their prominent tourism destinations as potential venues for future editions of the National Film Awards. The move is aimed at bringing together India’s film and tourism sectors and giving greater visibility to destinations across the country. (Press Information Bureau)
Ekta Nagar to Host the 72nd National Film Awards
The 72nd National Film Awards are scheduled to be presented on September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, formerly known as Kevadia. The location is home to the Statue of Unity and has developed into a major tourism destination. (Press Information Bureau)
The government’s latest initiative envisages taking future ceremonies to different states and cities instead of limiting them to the national capital.
States Invited to Submit Proposals
Vaishnaw has asked states to identify their most attractive tourism destinations and submit proposals for hosting subsequent National Film Awards.
According to the minister, proposals should not only identify a suitable destination but also outline the available facilities and a 360-degree development plan for the location. The state whose proposal is selected would host a future National Film Awards ceremony at the proposed destination.
Linking Cinema with Tourism
The minister said the initiative is intended to bring the National Film Awards closer to the public while simultaneously promoting India’s diverse tourism destinations.
The government views the combination of cinema and tourism as an opportunity to showcase places of cultural, historical and natural significance to a national and international audience.
The move follows the model adopted during India’s G20 presidency, when major events were organised across different parts of the country rather than being concentrated in a single location.
A Wider Platform for Indian Destinations
The National Film Awards recognise excellence across India’s diverse film industries and languages. The official government overview notes that the awards, established in 1954, cover feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema, while also honouring outstanding contributions to Indian filmmaking. (Press Information Bureau)
By taking the ceremony to different parts of the country, the government aims to create greater public engagement with the awards while providing participating destinations with an opportunity to showcase their tourism infrastructure, attractions and local identity.
Film and Tourism to Grow Together
The initiative represents an effort to use the reach of Indian cinema to promote destinations beyond traditional tourism circuits.
For tourism-dependent states, hosting a nationally recognised cultural event could provide additional exposure to local attractions, hospitality facilities and related infrastructure. For the film industry, the move could also create greater visibility for India’s varied landscapes and cultural locations as potential settings for future productions.
The government is now looking to states to present their proposals, with the selected destination expected to host a subsequent edition of the National Film Awards.
By Antara Tripathy
IBG NEWS
