Vietnamese documentary film-makers will be given the chance to air their productions on the Discovery Asia channel in a competition entitled Firtst time Filmmakers (FTFM) Vietnam.

Organised by the Ford Foundation and TV documentary production companies Discovery Network Asia and Uproar Asia, FTFM Vietnam aims to give Vietnamese filmmakers a platform to showcase their talent and gain recognition on an international level.

Under the guidance of award-winning producers from Uproar Asia, a Singapore-based company, the initiative will help filmmakers develop their creative and technical skills and bring their unique vision to life.

Young filmmakers will have to submit a 30-minute documentary film on the theme of Vietnam ’s Urban Transition.

Twelve proposals will be selected to attend a three-day TV production workshop in Hanoi . After pitching their concept to a jury of selected experts from Discovery, Uproar Productions, Vietnamese Cinamatography Department and the Ford Foundation, five films will be chosen to receive a Ford Foundation grant.

This grant will be used to produce their films over the following six months. Each successful 30-minute documentary will be broadcast on Discovery Asia. The best of the five, judged by viewers, will receive an individual award.

“We hope to find compelling, original ideas that will be chapters in the story of Vietnam ’s extraordinary growth, and uncover new talent here,” said Kevin Dickie, general manager and senior vice president of Southeast Asia , Discovery Network Asia-Pacific.

Filmmaker Phan Huyen Thu said she hoped to take part in the project, which she said was an excellent opportunity for young people to bring their ideas to life.

“I’m working at the Vietnam National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio. I want to tell young filmmakers that they need not care about budgets. Discovery will give them the best conditin to work,” Thu said at a press conference.

Production will be supervised by Uproar Asia, while technical advice on final editing will be given by Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific in Singapore in March 2010.

All expenses for the production of films, plus training by Uproar Asia, will be covered by a grant from the Ford Foundation.
For inclusion in the competition, filmmakers should submit an application form that includes a title, story summary, and estimated budget, plus contaxt information for the filmmaker and his or her crew. The application form and entry requirements are available at http://www.firsttimefilmmakers.com.vn./.