Showing Real Asia 2003 -- a film funding project sponsored by National Geographic Channel (NGC) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore -- is encouraging documentary-making talents in Asia.
Byran Smith, executive vice president of NGC and Tan Chek-ming (
The project is for four years and will fund 12 hours of film projects for Asian and Singaporean filmmakers. Besides financial aid, filmmakers will receive production assistance as well.
Meanwhile, starting this Sunday (Sept. 7), the channel will be showing the results of last year's Showing Real Asia project, by screening the 10 films sponsored and selected by the project.
For last year's Showing Real Asia, there were 550 proposals applying for grants and a total sum of US$1.98 million was given to 10 Asian documentary films.
The 10 selected films cover China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Thailand. They will be aired on National Geographic Channel in 25 different languages throughout the world.
For example, Hong Kong's Big Bet, a film to be aired on Sunday, is a story exploring the region's obsession with horse-racing. The film follows two unusual stories: one about a poor man who became rich through gambling, and later was cheated of all his riches by his wife; the other about a former gambling addict with a strong, Christian faith.
Another film The Kung Fu Dragons of Wudang, is a documentary about the legends of Mount Wudang, the birthplace of various famous kung-fu styles, such as Tai Chi, Ba Gua Boxing and Wudang Swordplay. The film focuses on three characters, two teenage kung-fu apprentices and a sword fanatic, Wang, who chooses to isolate himself for 10 years, to demonstrate the power and styles of Wudang kung fu.
On Sunday, Sept 28, Cyberwars -- To Catch a Little Fish looks at the world of computer hacking. Specifically, the filmmaker meets the 14- to 20-year-old hackers from Asia who are breaking into the high tech computers of the West everyday. The film tries to ask the young hackers how and why.
Showing Real Asia 2003 is now open to entrants from now until Oct. 3. Applicants will be requested to submit proposals for their documentary projects. The selection result will be announced on Nov. 12. More entry information can be found at www.nationalgeographic.com.tw.
Showing Real Asia 2002 airs 9pm every Sunday on NGC, from Sept. 7 to Oct. 26.
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