Hanoi – Discovery Channel recently launched First Time Filmmaker (FTFM) Vietnam, a project designed to help develop and support the documentary storytelling skills of Vietnamese filmmakers. FTFM Vietnam seeks to tell the story of Vietnam over the past 20 years; the resulting five 30-minute documentaries will premiere on Discovery Channel next year. Vietnamese citizens with some experience in documentary filmmaking are invited to submit proposals for 30-minute, story-based documentary films on the theme ‘Vietnam’s Urban Transition’. Filmmakers should submit an application form that includes a title, story summary, an estimated budget, and contact information for the filmmaker and crew. Twelve proposals will be chosen by a panel of foreign and Vietnamese judges. All 12 finalists will be invited to attend a three-day television documentary production workshop in Hanoi, during which each film-maker will also have a chance to pitch their stories to the panel for funding. Five directors will be chosen to make their films under the supervision of Uproar Asia (now Ten Alps Asia), the executive producer. Final editing for each 30 minute film will take place with technical advice from Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific in Singapore in March 2010. The best of the five, judged by an audience screening, will be recognized with an individual award.