MUMBAI: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) have announced a partnership agreement.

They have commissioned two one-hour documentary programmes in high-definition (HD) to showcase Malaysia to the world and to encourage local filmmaking talents. 
NGCI executive VP- production Bryan Smith says, "We are pleased to partner with Finas to produce high-definition documentaries for the global audience and to cultivate local filmmaking talents."

Finas DG En Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim said, "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."

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 NGC.

The call-for-entries is given a further lift as each successful grantee will receive up to $200,000 to make a 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.