GECs
Nat Geo Intl calls for entries for documentary fund
MUMBAI: This is an opportunity for Asian television documentary filmmakers to showcase their wares across the region. Asia’s filmmakers are invited to submit their proposals for the fourth season of the National Geographic Channels International and Singapore Economic Development Board (NGCI-EDB) Documentary Fund. This is the fourth year of the initiative.
The call-for-entries follows the success of the first two seasons of 20 completed documentaries with another 17 from the third season currently in the making. The first season’s documentaries, which aired in 2003 won many awards and accolades including the acclaimed New York Film Festival, Jackson Hole Wildlife Festival and Asian Television Awards. The second season of 10 documentaries started airing on 5 May 2005.
The deadline for submission is on 15 August 2005. Shortlisted filmmakers will be notified in mid-September. They are expected to attend a 3-day master workshop and make their pitches to a panel of National Geographic Channel producers on 21 – 23 September 2005. The final results of the selected grantees will be announced on 23 September 2005.
NGCI executive VP production Bryan Smith says: “We are commissioning 11 hours of original programming for the fourth season. We look forward to work with talented Asia’s filmmakers in producing bold and innovative documentaries for our global viewers of over 230 million homes in 153 countries.”
NGCI is looking for unique, bold and innovative Asian stories in preferred themes and in one-hour documentary format or short series of up to three episodes. EDB director infocomms and media Quek Swee Kuan says, “Through our collaboration with NGCI over the past three seasons, we have witnessed some of Asia’s best filmmakers produce award-winning documentaries that are watched the world over.
“We are proud to play a key role in building a world-class creative talent base in Asia, particularly within Singapore. We encourage talented filmmakers to create original content that will appeal to East and West viewers and submit their proposals for this fourth season.”
All Asia-based filmmakers are eligible to submit their proposals towards this NGCI-EDB Documentary Fund (2005). NGCI will commission 11 hours of original programming at the usual appropriate level of funding that would enable filmmakers to produce high quality documentaries for global airing on the National Geographic Channel.
Successful grantees can look forward to showcasing their talents through National Geographic Channel’s global distribution of up to 230 million homes in 153 countries, and will also have the opportunity of a long-term creative relationship with the National Geographic Channel. Under the direction of NGC’s producers, all projects under this fund will aim to meet the hallmark standards of NGC. they are great storytelling, breathtaking and engaging visuals, smart, innovative and cutting-edge topics and treatments.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
