Nat Geo Enters Chinese Production Initiative

BEIJING: National Geographic Channel, China International Television Corporation and China Radio, Film & Television Programs Exchanging Centre are collaborating in an effort to promote documentary production in China.

The new partnership will push forward the China to the World documentary production project to cultivate the nation’s doc filmmaking industry. The initiative will work to empower local filmmakers with funding and support to promote China worldwide through documentary films. The partners target will initially be one-hour docs based on submitted production proposals. A CITVC division charged with distributing China-made programs globally, China Radio, Film & Television Programs Exchanging Centre will draw on its global marketing network and national distribution organization to support China to the World in promoting the new documentaries in China and worldwide.

“The China to the World project is another way for China International Television Corporation to strengthen China’s growing film production industry and promote creativity and the highest technical standards. With the synergy that comes from a long and productive relationship, we are pleased to again cooperate with National Geographic Channel to enhance our local talent base and produce world-class documentaries for China and the world to enjoy,” said Ma Runsheng, the general manager of China Radio, Film and Television Programs Exchanging Centre at China International Television Corporation.

“Aiming to produce outstanding documentary films that ignite local interest and pride, the China to the World project is part of the localization strategy by which National Geographic Channel continues to expand its distribution and programming to meet the needs of our growing audience in China,” commented Zubin Gandevia, the COO for Asia Pacific and the Middle East at FOX International Channels and National Geographic Channel.

“At the same time, diversifying our international content and fostering local filmmaking talent are key missions of National Geographic Channel worldwide. Given keen global interest in China’s unique culture, heritage and natural environment, we are thus deeply committed to supporting outstanding local productions and sharing them with National Geographic Channel viewers across Asia. CITVC has long been a valued partner of National Geographic Channel and we are delighted to now grow this treasured partnership with the China to the World project,” he continued.

“As the world’s most trusted documentary filmmaker, National Geographic Channel is committed to providing local filmmaking elites an international platform to showcase their passion about China,” said Joanne Tsai, who has oversight for China and Taiwan at National Geographic Channel. “We are excited to extend our long-standing partnership with CITVC in the China to the World project, a unique opportunity for local filmmaking talents to share the unique stories, cultures and traditions that China has to offer with a regional National Geographic Channel audience.”