NEW DELHI: Prime Minister today urged television channels to participate pro-actively in the Swachh Bharat programme as creativity may lead to new ideas and new slogans which can inspire people.

Referring to the Short Films Competition on the theme “Swachh Bharat” announced recently by the Government, he said during his monthly 'Monthly ki Baat' on All India Radio that filmmakers no longer needed large studios or sets to shoot a film, and this could be done even on a mobile phone.

He said the winning entries will be announced in a special felicitation programme to be held in New Delhi on 2 October 2016 which also marks Gandhi Jayanti.

Entries have been invited by the National Film Development Corporation on behalf of Information & Broadcasting Ministry by 10 September 2016.

The film can be made in Hindi, English or any of the listed official languages of India.
The Best Film will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a certificate. Three Second Best Films will be awarded Rs 5 lakh each and six Third Best Films will be awarded Rs 2 lakh each.

Meanwhile, the NFDC today aired a commercial on Doordarshan where megastar Amitabh Bachchan urged young filmmakers to participate enthusiastically in the Festival. In his characteristic touch of humour, he said he hoped he would be able to go to one of the filmmakers one day to seek a role for himself.

To participate in the competition, interested applicants can log onto www.nfdcindia.com or write to sbsff@nfdcindia.com