NGCI Commissions Malaysian Docs

KUALA LUMPUR, December 14: National Geographic Channels
International (NGCI) and the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia
(FINAS) today announced the commissioning of two one-hour high-definition
documentaries, the result of a fund established by the two companies to foster
Malaysian filmmaking talent.

More than 80 proposals were received from Malaysian filmmakers
as of the closing date of November 15. Six filmmakers were short listed to
attend a full-day master workshop conducted by NGCI senior producers. Of those,
Novista Sdn Bhd and Cosmo Vision Production Sdn, and VHQ Post (M) Sdn Bhd,
clinched the award to produce a one-hour documentary program each. Each will be
budgeted at $200,000. Production will commence in January 2007 under the
guidance of National Geographic Channels International senior producers. The
films will be showcased on National Geographic Channel’s global distribution
network of up to 290 million homes in 164 countries and in 27 languages.

“The partnership between NGCI and FINAS has given a boost to
the local documentary filmmaking industry,” commented Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim,
the director-general of FINAS. “This initiative with NGCI will provide the
opportunity for our Malaysian filmmaking talents to learn from National
Geographic Channel so as to raise the bar of the filmmaking here in Malaysia.
With National Geographic Channel, now we are able to produce high-definition
documentary programs on par excellence for the global audience for the first
time.”

The NGCI-FINAS fund, entitled Malaysia to the World, was
launched in October 2006.