Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has announced the addition of a new award category to the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) that will be presented to a show for its "artistic merit, storytelling excellence, technical prowess, and overall impact".
The Best Web Series Award will be given to an original web series on a streaming platform, originally shot and available in an Indian language, Thakur said on Twitter on Tuesday evening.
"Delighted to announce the BEST WEB SERIES AWARD @IFFIGoa to be presented to an exceptional web series for its artistic merit, storytelling excellence, technical prowess and overall impact.
"India is filled with exceptional talent; I encourage you to tell the story of a rising and aspirational New India - ready to lead the world, with a billion dreams and a billion untold stories," the Union minister tweeted.
Thakur also said the award aims to "incentivise and create investment opportunities in India's OTT sector, encourage content in Indian languages, recognise exceptional talent and foster growth and innovation of the OTT industry".
The Best Web Series Award will be incorporated in the festival, starting from this year's 54th edition set to be held in Goa from November 20 to November 28.
The festival previously awarded talents across seven major categories -- Golden Peacock for Best Film, Silver Peacock for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Debut Feature Film of a Director, Special Jury Award and Special Mention by the Jury.
Bonnie Greer, Zawe Ashton, Gemma Cairney and guest at the "Character Breakdown" by Zawe Ashton book launch at Wild By Tart on April 03, 2019 in London, England. Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales meets American-British playwright, novelist and critic Bonnie Greer, right, during a reception for Americans living and working in the UK, at the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Britain, Winfield House on March 9, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. The reception was held Monday evening ahead of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visiting the U.S. next week. Photo by Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Playwright Bonnie Greer, (C) poses with her sister Regina Greer-Smith, and brother-in-law Theron Smith, after she was awarded her Officer of the British Empire (OBE) medal from the Prince of Wales, at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, November 19, 2010 in London. Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images
