NHK and Singapore’s MediaCorp announced they are extending their partnership on The Asian Pitch competition for a further three years. Since teaming up in 2007 the two media giants have provided independent filmmakers throughout the Asian region funding to turn their ideas and dreams into world-class documentaries. In the wake of this year’s pitching event and signing ceremony, Fumio Narashima, head of NHK’s international program development said, “The past two years have proven that there are fascinating untold stories and skilful new talent out there in Asia waiting to be discovered. We are very happy to be able to work with MediaCorp to offer the local filmmakers a chance to tell their stories to the world.” Previous filmmakers have used this pitching event to launch successful careers in the filmmaking industry. Using the funding to create world-class documentaries, filmmakers have gone on to garner some impressive international accolades. One such success story is Supermen of Malegaon (India), which won the recent US International Film and Video Festival’s Grand Prix for Documentary Productions. Commenting on the partnership, Ong Hee Yah, managing director of MediaCorp’s Caldecott Productions International said, “This has been a most fruitful and meaningful co-production relationship with NHK as it has created a much needed space in the documentary market for Asian film makers to emerge. We are glad that The Asian Pitch has benefited the winners and given them exposure to a global audience.” Directors and project winners of The Asian Pitch 2009 are Transmission: Listening to the Mountain’s Message, Shohei Shibata, Japan and Red Box, Yang Li-chou, Taiwan. This year, The Asian Pitch decided to announce a third winner, The Great Indian Arranged Marriage, Faiza Ahmad Khan, India. Meanwhile a three-way partnership deal between NHK/NHK Enterprises, Science Channel and Atlantic Productions will take viewers on an international quest to find the reclusive giant squid. Only ever seen twice and filmed once, Dr Tsunemi Kubodera an expert marine biologist and his scientific team lead the multi-million dollar expedition in the hunt for the giant of the deep. On the upcoming series, Hidemi Hyuga, executive managing director, NHK expressed his excitement, “This is the start of a dream-come-true venture for NHK. We have long been in pursuit of the giant squid and have caught glimpses of it in the past 10 years, but we have never succeeded in filming it in its natural habitat. With our partnership with the Science Channel, I am convinced that this ambitious project is in the hands of an ideal team.” Due to air in 2012 the international collaboration will be produced in a multi-part special following the incredible technological and scientific effort to locate the giant squid. Focus will also be placed on other exotic and unusual beasts inhabiting this largely unexplored deep sea region. After putting out the call at MIPCOM 2008 for co-production partners to come onboard to produce a series of documentaries, NHK are pleased to announce that new developments including the ambitious project Weird Edens are moving forward. Weird Edens, a six-hour production is planned for completion during 2011. The series is a collaboration between NHK, NHNZ, France 5, Animal Planet and the Science Channel. During an interview with TVAplus at MIPCOM 2009, Fumio Narashima elaborated on last year’s decision to host the dinner calling for co-production partners. “It used to work that NHK would start the production, then start looking for a co-production partner,” said Narashima. “Now partners want to be involved much sooner, with constant consultation to keep everyone satisfied. Now, before we start production, we ask partners which projects are they interested in. We are involving them much earlier in the production process.” Narashima went on to say that in the past, projects were funded by NHK but due to rising costs it was wiser to agree upon a mutual budget. NHK have confirmed that projects being completed in 2010 are generating serious interest from partners. National Geographic Channel (US) and France Television have picked up World After Dinosaurs: Megaquake, a three part series has been picked up by National Geographic Channel International and further talks with partners are in the pipeline. CBC and ARTE have confirmed their participation in a three part series titled Nano Revolution. This series explores the radical changes and the possible dangers associated with the revolutionary nanotechnology and its impact on society. The Miracle Body II is expected to generate interest amongst partners. The 4×1 hour series is currently being produced for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The Miracle Body II is a sports science series that incorporates cutting edge film technology that answers the question – how do the world’s top athletes use their exceptional bodies and skills to produce outstanding sporting results? The first series was produced in time for the Beijing Olympics and was co-produced by NFB and Arte France. During the 2007-2009 period, NHK co-production programs have seen a 100 percent increase in NHK original programs, an increase of 61 percent for documentaries, factual programs, animation and drama and a 20 percent increase in the production of classics and music over the same period.