KBS Back On Board for The Asian Pitch

SINGAPORE: KBS is returning to The Asian Pitch (TAP), an initiative put together by NHK and MediaCorp to fund original HD documentaries produced by independent directors who live and work in Asia.

The South Korean pubcaster was on board at the start of the event in 2007. Due to internal affairs it pulled out of TAP in 2008. KBS has now strengthened its international activities and is returning to TAP, starting with the 2011 edition. Now in its fifth year, TAP targets Asian documentary-makers, promoting them to tell original stories about the region. The selected projects receive full funding from the broadcasters, will be aired in prime-time slots and will be marketed and distributed in international markets after completion.

Song Jae-Heon, KBS’s chief producer for the documentary department, said, "We are glad that KBS returns to The Asian Pitch. Through TAP, several original documentaries were produced which would not have been made if it was not for TAP, and they have let the world know the Asian point of view. I hope that KBS as a representative Asian public broadcaster will contribute to the vision of TAP that ‘uncovers stories and talent in Asia that makes the world wake up and take notice.’ ”

Kazumasa Iida, NHK’s head of international program development, commented, “We are thrilled that KBS is coming back on board. NHK has enjoyed a number of collaborations with KBS, and I am sure that their participation will add another unique perspective to the TAP selection. TAP was initiated through a common vision of creating more opportunity for Asian filmmakers with a great story. KBS’s come back will strengthen our means to do this.”

Hee-Yah Ong, the senior VP of Caldecott Production International within MediaCorp, added, "We are absolutely delighted that KBS is back with The Asian Pitch and we are confident that we will continue to reach out to more and more Asian independent directors from every part of Asia. This is the uniqueness of TAP and we are committed to drawing out these original stories for the global audience.”