The Information and Broadcasting Ministry yesterday extended the last date of submission of entries of the inaugural edition of the Best Web Series (OTT) Award from August 25 to 6pm on September 4 for online submissions, while the hardcopy of the series can be submitted by September 12.

In the event that September 12 is declared a holiday, the next working day will be considered as the final date for receipt of the applications, MIB said in an official statement.

The decision to extend the date of submission was taken to ensure that a maximum number of web series can participate for the award that intends to recognise the creative prowess of the OTT platform, which has grown manifold in the last two years.

An eminent jury, consisting of personalities from the entertainment industry, will choose the Best Web Series and the winner will be awarded Rs 10 lakh as cash prize, along with certificates at the 54th International Film Festival of India.

To be eligible for the award, the web series has to be created/shot in any Indian language and has to be an original piece of work either commissioned or produced. Further, the series should have been co-produced, licensed, or acquired with the purpose of releasing ONLY on an OTT platform.

Also, to be eligible for the award, all episodes of the entry (web series/season), should have been released on an OTT platform between January 1 and December 31, 2022, the statement added.