Guwahati, March 28: The Northeast bagged nine awards at the 63rd National Film Awards announced today in Delhi. Most of the awards were shared by Assam and Manipur.

Kothanodi, which was adjudged the best Assamese film, was described as "a stylised, poetic film interweaving four folk stories evoking the terrifying undercurrents of human mind as depicted in folk mythology". It is directed by Bhaskar Hazarika.

Kima's Lode Beyond the Class, directed by Zualaa Chhangte, was described as "an adventurous coming-of-age story of a boy in pristine environment of Mizoram," was selected the best Mizo film.

Maipaksana Haorongbam-directed best Manipuri film was Eibusu Yaohanbiyu. It is "a moving film about the victory of a differently-abled boy's attempt to join a football team".

The Head Hunter, "a cinematic contemplation on the lives of the Wancho community regarding the balance required in modernising tribal environment while intruding and displacing their lifestyle", was captured by Nilanjan Datta and selected the best Wancho film.

Pradip Kurbah-directed Onaatah -"a sensitive portrayal of a rape victim in the course of her revival in the healing background of the tribal setting" - has been selected the best Khasi film.

Manju Borah-directed Dau Huduni Methai has been selected the best Bodo film. The film is "an honest attempt to document the dilemma of the common man, helplessly victimised during the times of insurgency in the Northeast".

Auto Driver, directed by Manipur's Longjam Meena Devi, has been selected the best film on social issues.

Samujjal Kashyap-directed Texpur 1962 has been selected the best investigative film.

Meghachandra Kongbam - adjudged the best film critic of the year - made Manipur proud. Kongbam interprets the world of Indian cinema for his readers in Manipuri.

The 63rd National Film Awards 2015 were announced by chairpersons of three juries on feature films, non-feature films and best writing on cinema.

The feature film central panel was headed by Ramesh Sippy, a popular director and producer of Hindi cinema. The central panel comprised 11 members, including the chairman.

The non-feature jury was headed by Vinod Ganatra and comprised seven members, including the chairman.

The jury on best writing on cinema was headed by Advaita Kala and comprised three members, including the chairperson.

Some of the prominent winners in various categories for this year National Film Awards included Bahubali in the best feature film category and Amdavad Ma Famous in the best non-feature film category.

Amitabh Bachchan was given the Best Actor award for Piku and Kangana Ranaut the Best Actress award for Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali was given the Best Director award for Bajirao Mastani. Rajakumar Samagra Charithre was given the Best Book on Cinema award.

This year, the National Film Awards included a special award given to Gujarat for being the most film-friendly state in the country.