The state government that proves friendliest in granting permissions to moviemakers will bag a National Film award with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry creating this new category to boost the film sector.
The ministry has also decided to alter the country's Film Festival calendar to avoid a clash of dates between two of its prestigious events - the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the International Children's Film Festival.
Speaking to PTI, a senior I&B official said the ministry wants to encourage a friendlier regime for filmmakers and also promote India as a global shooting destination.
To achieve these ends, the I&B ministry has "in principle" decided to create a special category award for state governments which follow best practices in giving shooting permissions, the official added.
"The special National Award will be given to the best performing state government at the National Film Awards, which are conferred in May every year," the official said.
It is learnt that many eminent filmmakers have conveyed to the government the film industry's concerns and experiences relating to the process of shooting permissions.
The ministry also decided that there would be no clash of dates between IFFI and the International Children's Film Festival and the latter would conclude by November 14, officials said.
IFFI 2015 began in Goa on November 20 but that was also the day when the children's film festival ended in Hyderabad.
