Discovery Networks Asia and Visa Exploring Tales of the Unexpected in Olympic Cities
Jia Zhangke Invited to Serve as Art Director
April 30, 2008
(Beijing, China) Discovery Channel’s First Time Filmmakers initiative was launched in Europe in 1995 to provide a platform for promising filmmakers to receive professional development and showcase their talents to a global audience. Since the launch of the initiative, local filmmakers in Australia , the United Kingdom , South Africa, Germany, the Netherlands, Southeast Asia and China have brought their stories to the world through Discovery and have received recognition on the international stage, with their films winning several high-profile awards.
Discovery has offered the First Time Filmmakers initiative in China (including the Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of Hong Kong and Macau) for the last four years, addressing the impact of modernization and technological advancement on Chinese cultures and traditions, illustrating the rich tapestry of stories and creative new talent in China and bringing local filmmakers’ unique visions and perspectives to millions of Discovery Channel viewers.
The First Time Filmmakers initiative was also launched in Malaysia in 2006, and the winning films are expected to premiere on Discovery Channel later this year.
About Visa
Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial institutions through the world’s largest electronic payments network. Visa products allow buyers and sellers to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the physical and virtual worlds. Visa is committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to drive economic growth.
Visa products currently generate more than $4 trillion in sales volume worldwide. Visa has unsurpassed acceptance at more than 24 million locations worldwide including one million ATMs. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com .
About Visa in Asia Pacific
In Asia Pacific, Visa has a greater market share than all other payment card brands combined with 62 percent of all card purchases at the point of sale being made using Visa cards. There are currently 300 million Visa-branded cards in the region. For the 12 months ended June 2006, US$620 billion was spent at point of sale or withdrawn from ATMs in Asia Pacific using Visa cards. Visa Asia Pacific's internet address is www.visa-asia.com .
About Visa in China
Visa is working closely with The People’s Bank of China and its Chinese member banks to ensure that the local payments industry fully supports the country’s continuing rapid economic development in the years ahead. Visa opened its Beijing and Shanghai offices in 1993 and 1996. Today, Visa has 18 Chinese member financial institutions and five foreign member banks. Up to 31 December 2005, there are more than 10 million international Visa cards issued in China , representing almost 70 percent market share. Visa China ’s Internet address is www.visa.com.cn .