MUMBAI: Production house Miditech is getting more ambitious in its vision to rise to the top. It will make three documentaries for National Geographic.
 

What is unique however is that unlike their previous show Leopards Of Bollywood the three upcoming projects will be shot across the globe.

Speaking to Indiantekevision.com, Miditech CEO Nikhil Alva said, "This is a part of the documentary production fund programme that National Geographic has with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). The aim is to fund documentary filmmakers from across the Asian region. 330 entries were received. Out of this 28 were short listed. 12 ideas were then chosen."

"We were the only company that is doing more than one film. We will be shooting the films in US, Australia, South Africa. Another film will be shot in China. With this we are looking to take the next leap in terms of production values and scale. This competition is in its third year. The first year we had done Operation Hot Pursuit," he added.

Alva added that what gave Miditech the edge over the competition was the fact that their international ideas were unique. "In our presentation we also lucidly explained how the programmes would appeal to National Geographic's global audience.
 

"These shows will have an Indian element but the bulk of the work will be done outside. They will air on the channel across the world next year. So while we are an Indian company we want to send out the message that we are equally capable of making high quality products for the global market."
 

Alva said that one programme for National Geographic Witchcraft has just been completed. This will air in the December-January period. The other companies that have been selected by National Geographic and the EDB include APV Media (Singapore), India's Asoka Raina Productions and Southern Star Entertainment (Singapore).
 

The closing date for the contest was 30 August 2004. 16 Asian countries had sent in entries. The chosen entries will have a potential viewership of 220 million homes.

NGC Intl executive VP production Bryan Smith, said, "This is the third year that National Geographic Channels International is working with local producers. The quality of entries has improved over the years. We are very pleased with the high standard of these documentary proposals received for the third season. 
 

"We will continue to groom and raise the bar of the Asian filmmaking community to produce exceptional documentary programs for the global audience. Great stories told by Asian documentary producers will present new angles to our understanding of the world. "
 

Similar to the first two seasons, a National Geographic documentary workshop will be organised for the winners to learn first-hand experience and insights about the makings of National Geographic programmes.