Discovery Networks Asia, Visa Launch New Filmmaking Initiative

BEIJING, April 26: Discovery Networks Asia has partnered
with Olympic Games sponsor Visa for the launch of a new filmmaking initiative
that will allow six Chinese directors to produce a series of vignettes on six
former Olympic host cities for broadcast on the Discovery Travel & Living
programming block in China this September.

Six Chinese filmmakers have been chosen to produce the
series of five-minute vignettes on six former Olympic host cities: Los Angeles,
Sydney, Seoul, Rome, Mexico City and Athens. The six filmmakers include Zhao
Liang, Long Miaoyuan, Xu Jun and Liu Chang—all former winners of
Discovery Channel’s First Time Filmmakers China initiative—as well as
independent film director Lai He and professional creative director Johnny Tan.
Discovery Channel’s First Time Filmmakers China initiative is an annual program
that provides promising local directors with professional development and the
opportunity to showcase their documentary films on Discovery Channel.
Award-winning director Jia Zhangke—who was recently appointed president
of the short film jury at the 60th Cannes Film Festival—will serve as art
director for the series.

A new theme page dedicated to the initiative will be
available on the Visa China and Sina Entertainment websites for the next five
months. Internet visitors can view the vignettes, vote for their favorites and
share their own Olympic City experiences online. They will also have the
opportunity to win tickets to the 2008 Olympic Games.

"This partnership
reinforces our commitment to the growth of documentary filmmaking and to the
development of local directorial talent," said Fang Chang, the VP and GM
of China operations at Discovery Networks Asia. "With the support of Visa
as a major sponsor for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, we are once more
providing local filmmakers with an opportunity to bring their visions to life
and to gain recognition on an international platform. This initiative provides
an avenue for local filmmakers to tell their stories from a Chinese perspective
and bring the Olympic experience not only to audiences in China but also around
the world."