MUMBAI: Infotainment channel National Geographic Channel (NGC) has announced a new initiative to recognise outstanding work in non fiction. It will present awards for excellence in non fiction film-making in India.

It aims to set a benchmark for the best non-fiction productions and raise the bar of Indian film-making to produce exceptional content for the global and Indian audience.

NGC says that the awards are India's first such initiative to recognise and honour exceptional non-fiction films and will also provide an opportunity to realise every film maker's aspiration to showcase their work in the international arena. The inception of these awards is an ideal extension of 's commitment to recognise films that are thought provoking and at the same time interesting to watch besides providing entertainment.

The awards will focus on works of both professional as well as amateur film-makers of Indian origin in separate categories. Details like the award's name, categories, application procedure, selection criteria, the jury, events, dates and other information will be announced shortly.

NGC India senior VP - programming, Joy Bhattacharjya said, "With our documentary initiatives with Singapore's Economic Development Board in Singapore and projects like Taiwan to the World, Nat Geo has already showcased its dedication to developing and recognizing talent around the world and providing opportunities to help film makers showcase their work."

"With these awards we aim to recognise and encourage superior non-fiction film-making in India and establishing a benchmark for the same. These awards are an ideal extension of our proposition to encourage viewers to rethink about the way they watch television. We plan to make this into an annual property and hence make this an event to remember with an innovative 360 degree activation experience which is bound to make the audience Think again".