SINGAPORE : Film-makers from across Asia will now have more chances for their works to reach international audiences.

Broadcasters MediaCorp from Singapore and NHK from Japan have inked an agreement to extend "The Asian Pitch" competition for another three years.

The programme provides funding and distribution support to film-makers.

The documentary "Superman of Malegaon," which explores the role of film in the Indian psyche, has won several international accolades, including the US International Film and Video Festival's Grand Prix for Documentary Productions.

And the film would not have been made if not for "The Asian Pitch."

Not only will winners of "The Asian Pitch" get funding support, their works will also be distributed internationally. So far, some of these documentaries have been broadcast in countries such as Spain, Germany and Israel.

"US and European directors and audiences don't know about Asia and they don't know about the Asian point of view. So we need to let them know, with Asian public broadcasters in collaboration," said Fumio Narashima, head of NHK International Programme Developement.

And many of the films have been well received.

"The projects that I saw today, I think they were absolutely incredible. They give you a new sense of the quality of productions and the stories that are available in Asia," said Lee Gluckman Jr, chairman of US International Film & Video Festival.

"As Asian broadcasters are going more and more into high definition, we welcome other parties, other broadcasters to join us in this particular quest. Because the larger the support from the broadcasters, the more we can produce," said Lucas Chow, group CEO of MediaCorp.

"The Asian Pitch" competition has seen growing interest since it started in 2006. This year, over 130 proposals from 12 countries were submitted. - CNA /ls