Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP) announced that it is currently working with local filmmakers in Japan on the production of six inspirational stories on the country's recovery efforts after the March 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that caused massive devastation and deaths in Eastern Japan.
Initiated by Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific’s Japan office in partnership with Discovery Networks International, the “REBUILDING JAPAN” project was announced last April inviting Japanese production companies to submit their ideas. The project drew 16 finalists shortlisted from over 250 entries to attend a three-day workshop in mid-July, and from these, the six final stories were selected.
“This project was triggered in response to the viewers of Discovery Japan, and it is so important to us to be able to show our support for the Japanese people through this initiative. There were so many compelling stories submitted by so many Japanese producers that it was very difficult to narrow them down to six finalists but we feel confident in the stories and producers we have chosen. All submissions conveyed the passion and emotions of the local filmmakers toward the recovery efforts, and many captured it from a uniquely Japanese point of view,” James Gibbons, president of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific - Japan said.
The six films cover a range of topics from tradition to technology and manufacturing to motorsports, but have a common thread that weaves them all together - the theme of hope, community, courage and recovery in the face of adversity as told by the Japanese people.