Kuala Lumpur, 2 October 2006 - National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) is now inviting Malaysian filmmakers to submit their proposals for the NGCI-FINAS High-Definition (HD) Documentary Fund 2006, aimed at cultivating local production talents and showcasing high-quality made-in-Malaysia documentaries to the global audiences.

Mr Bryan Smith, Executive Vice President - Production, NGCI said, "We look forward to working with talented Malaysian filmmakers in producing bold and innovative documentaries for our global viewers of over 290 million homes (including day-part households) in 164 countries and 27 languages."

NGCI is looking for dramatic stories, strong central characters and innovative stories in preferred themes and in two one-hour (2 x 1-hour) documentaries shot in High-Definition (HD) with budgets up to USD 200,000 (MYR 750,000) per programme.

En. Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim, Director-General of FINAS said, "Through our collaboration with NGCI, we play a key role in building a world-class creative talent base in Malaysia. We encourage talented filmmakers to submit their proposals that are appealing to viewers."

All Malaysian-based filmmakers are eligible to submit their proposals for this NGCI-FINAS HD Documentary Fund 2006. The deadline for submission is 15 November 2006. Shortlisted filmmakers will be notified in early-December. They are expected to attend a 2-day master workshop and make their pitches to a panel of National Geographic Channel senior producers on 12 and 13 December 2006. The final results of the selected grantees will be announced on 14 December 2006.

Successful grantees can look forward to showcasing their talents through National Geographic Channel's global distribution of up to 290 million homes (including day-part households) in 164 countries and 27 languages. They will also have the opportunity of a long-term creative relationship with National Geographic Channel. Under the direction of National Geographic Channel's leading producers, all projects under this fund will meet the hallmark standards of National Geographic Channel: great storytelling, breathtaking and engaging visuals, smart, innovative and cutting-edge topics and treatments.

About MALAYSIA TO THE WORLD

"Malaysia to the World" is a USD 400,000 (MYR 1.5 million) high-definition (HD) documentary production fund. The fund is established jointly between National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) in association with the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage to showcase Malaysia to the world and to cultivate local filmmakers.

Launched on 2 October 2006, the initial round of production fund aims to provide a boost for Malaysian filmmakers to produce two of one-hour (2 x one-hour) documentaries on par excellence with reputable global production companies. Under the supervision of National Geographic Channel's veteran producers, all projects under this fund will meet the hallmark standards of National Geographic Channel: great storytelling, breathtaking and engaging visuals, smart, innovative and cutting-edge topics and treatments.

About National Geographic Channels International

National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) invites viewers to re-think the way they see television - and the world - with smart, innovative programming. NGCI is a business enterprise owned by National Geographic Television (NGT), FOX Entertainment Group and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). In the UK and Europe, BSkyB is a shareholder in the Channel. NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education.

Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S. which is a joint venture of NGT and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in over 290 million homes (including day-part households) in 164 countries and 27 languages.

About National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia
Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS) was established in 1981 to encourage, to preserve and to facilitate filmmaking industry in Malaysia. FINAS has since set up numerous facilities to promote the industry, including a credit facility scheme which enables young and untiring film-makers to test their potential.

A further incentive to local film-makers is that they are invited to make television programmes either in film format or video format. There are now more than 300 film companies registered with FINAS.

To promote documentary makers in Malaysia, FINAS encourages documentary production with Malaysian cultural, historical and socio-economic themes.

For more information, please contact:

National Geographic Channel Asia (Singapore)
Basil Chua / Angie Tan
Tel: +65 6325 3848 / +65 6325 3821
Email: basilc@ngcasia.com
Email: angiet@ngcasia.com

National Geographic Channels International (Washington DC)
Cherry Yates
Tel: +1 202 912 6689
Email: cyates@ngs.org National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS)
Nurhayati Othman
Marketing Director
Tel: +603 4105 6816
Email: nurhayati@finas.gov.my

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