National Film Awards 2026 Today: Time, Live Streaming & Where To Watch Online; Check All Details

The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards for films certified in 2024 will be announced today, July 3rd and is a big day for Indian cinema.

The prestigious awards honour excellence across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema, with filmmakers, actors and other crew members looking forward to the results. The announcement is expected to take place this evening and will be streamed live on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's official digital platforms.

When Will the 72nd National Film Awards Be Announced?

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will announce the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards that received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. The submission window for the 72nd edition closed on November 6, 2025.

Where to Watch the 72nd National Film Awards Live?

Viewers can watch the winners' announcement live on the official digital platforms of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, including:

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's official X (formerly Twitter) account
• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's official YouTube channel

About National Film Awards: Jury, Process & More

The National Film Awards are India's highest official honours for excellence in cinema. Presented annually by the Government of India, the awards celebrate outstanding achievements across various categories, including feature films, non-feature films, direction, acting, music, screenplay, cinematography and writing on cinema.

The 72nd edition recognises films released and certified during the 2024 calendar year.

The 72nd National Film Awards' selection process was completed by an 11-member Central Jury headed by veteran Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj. He previously served as a jury member in the 2012 edition. He now joins a list of noted Malayalam filmmakers who've led the central panel over the years, including Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shaji N. Karun and Priyadarshan, all of whom have previously chaired it.

The awards use two trophy types: the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) for top-tier recognition, and the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) for specific craft and regional categories, with prize money varying by category. The single highest prize is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, a lifetime-achievement honour carrying Rs. 15,00,000, a Swarna Kamal, and a shawl.