Kuala Lumpur, 2 October 2006 - National Geographic
Channels International (NGCI) and National Film Development
Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) today announced a landmark
partnership agreement to commission two one-hour (2 x 1-hour)
original documentary programmes in high-definition (HD) to
showcase Malaysia to the world and to encourage local filmmaking
talents.
"National Geographic Channels International is pleased
to partner with FINAS to produce high-definition documentaries
for the global audience and to cultivate local filmmaking
talents," said the Asia-based Mr Bryan Smith, Executive
Vice President of Production, National Geographic Channels
International.
En Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim, Director-General of FINAS added,
"This is the first time that National Geographic Channels
International and the National Film Development Corporation
of Malaysia have come together to promote the local filmmaking
industry. We are excited to be associated with this partnership
as Malaysia has a pool of highly creative talents and FINAS
would like to encourage, preserve and enable growth and
development of the filmmaking industry in Malaysia."
Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister
of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Malaysia said, "National
Geographic Channels International is a renowned global leader
in high-quality documentary filmmaking. This partnership
between NGCI and FINAS will enable Malaysia to tap into
world-class documentary filmmaking know-how. At the same
time, we hope this initiative will open up new opportunities
as we encourage and propel Malaysian television production
companies to compete globally."
NGCI will kick-off the launch with a call-for-entries to
all Malaysian-based production companies, the finished programmes
will be aired globally on National Geographic Channel's
network in 164 countries.
"The successful grantees will be guided by NGCI's senior
producers to ensure a consistently high-quality production.
The winning producers can also expect future opportunities
with National Geographic Channel," added Mr Bryan Smith.
The call-for-entries is given a further lift as each successful
grantee will receive up to USD 200,000.00 (Ringgit Malaysia
750,000.00) to make one-hour of original production in high-definition.
The local filmmaking talents are given an excellent opportunity
to commission a high-definition documentary and rise to
the "Malaysia to the World" challenge.
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. A business enterprise
owned by National Geographic Television (NGT), FOX Entertainment
Group and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), 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
Issued in Malaysia by:
Resonance Communications Sdn Bhd
Jacqueline Arnold
Tel: +603 2164 4573
Email: jacqueline.arnold@resonancepr.com