DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said moviemaking has got the status of an industry and her government has taken steps to build a film city for the development of the sector.

She made the observations while addressing the National Film Awards distribution ceremony at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in city in the afternoon.

Sheikh Hasina also said her government enacted a policy in 2010 for the desired development of motion picture and adopted a project worth Tk 59 crore to establish a film city and modernizing Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC).

She further said her government provided Tk 6-8 crore as grant in the last year for filmmaking adding that they have been thinking to increase the amount of grant.

The premier also mentioned that her incumbent government has formed a committee in digitalizing 100 cinema halls primarily and raise the number to 300 gradually to attract more people in cinemas.

She also said they withdrew existing 35 percent supplementary taxes in showing films and relaxed tax amount in setting up new cineplexes.

A total of 29 artistes and technicians got the National Film Award 2013 for their contributions in 25 categories.

The award winners are: Life-time achievement: Kabari; best actress: Moushumi (Debdas) and Sharmimala (Mrittika Maya) jointly; best actor: Titas Zia (Mrittika Maya); best supporting actor: Raisul Islam Asad (Mrittika Maya); best supporting actress: Aparna (Mrittika Maya); best actor in negative role: Mamunur Rashid (Mrittika Maya); best story writer, screenplay writer, dialogue and director: Gazi Rakayet (Mrittika Maya); best editor: M Shariful Islam Rasel (Mrittika Maya); best art director: Uttam Guha (Mrittika Maya); best cinematographer: Saiful Islam Badal (Mrittika Maya); best sound recording: Kazi Selim (Mrittika Maya); best costume designer: Wahida Mallick Joly (Mrittika Maya); best make-up man: Ali Babul (Mrittika Maya); best music director: AK Azad (Mrittika Maya) and Shawkat Ali Imon (Purnadoirgha Premkahini); best singer (male): Chandan Sinha (Purnadoirgha Premkahini); best singer (female): Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmeen (Debdas); best lyricist: Kabir Bakul (Purnadoirgha Premkahini); best composer: Kausik Hossain Tapas (Purnadoirgha Premkahini); best documentary: Shunte Ki Pao; best children actor: Swachha (Eki Britte); children actor (special category): Syeda Ahida Sabrina (Antardhan); best film: Faridur Reza Sagar and Gazi Rakayet (Mrittika Maya).

BDST: 1855 HRS, APR 04, 2015