DISCOVERY CHANNEL TO PREMIERE "EYE ON MALAYSIA" DOCUMENTARIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The Discovery Channel will premiere a series comprising five half hour documentaries on the Malaysian culture and way of life by local filmmakers, next year, said Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Dubbed "The Eye on Malaysia", he said the programme - a smart partnership
between the ministry and National Film Development Corporation (Finas), and
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific - was aimed at harnessing the talent of local
filmmakers.

"This is an opportunity for our filmmakers to portray the uniqueness of our
culture, way of life and products for the Discovery Channel which has 1.5
billion subscribers," he said after witnessing the signing ceremony of the
collaboration between the two parties here Tuesday.

Interested applicants are invited to submit an original story outline or
treatment for a half hour documentary.

They have from today until Oct 13 to submit their story outline or
treatment and proposed production budget for a half hour documentary that
explores issues or events relating to the theme.

Twelve applicants will be shortlisted, from which the final five successful
filmmakers will be commissioned to produce a single 30-minute documentary based
on their proposals.

They will be supervised and supported by producers from Discovery Networks
Asia-Pacific.

Shafie said the "Eye On Malaysia" was the second collaboration between the
ministry and Finas, and Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, following the success
of "First Time Filmmakers" last year where one of the documentaries was adjudged
the best documentary at the Malaysian Film Festival recently.

Further details on the "Eye on Malaysia" can be obtained from
www.discoverychannelasia.com.

The Discovery Channel is available in 35 languages in 170 countries with
subtitles in Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and Bahasa Malaysia.