National Geographic Entertainment and Imagenation Abu Dhabi will commit $100 million for the production of 10 to 15 films over the next five years.

The fund was announced on Saturday by Tim Kelly, president of National Geographic Global Media, and Edward Borgerding, CEO of Imagenation Abu Dhabi, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company.

National Geographic Entertainment, a division of National Geographic Global Media, will, in association with Imagenation Abu Dhabi, develop, produce, finance and acquire films that focus on people's relationship to the world, their environment and each other. The films will be budgeted between $5 million and $60 million.

Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, chairman of Imagenation Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Media Company, said: 'National Geographic is a perfect partner for Imagenation Abu Dhabi. It is one of the most identifiable and respected global brands, and we are delighted to be working with this great organisation as it expands its film presence.

'National Geographic stands for quality and is a renowned leader not just in media, but also in science, education and exploration. It has always been able to tell epic life adventures in ways that deeply move people of all cultures around the world.'

Kelly said: 'National Geographic has many exciting and important stories to tell, and at the heart of each film will be something vital, a subject that matters. When we talk to talent, we discover that National Geographic has always been part of their lives. With this film fund, we will be able to expand our outreach into the creative community and help filmmakers produce the kinds of films they dreamed of making when they entered the industry.'

Edward Borgerding, CEO of Abu Dhabi Media Company and Imagenation, said: 'This deal with National Geographic continues our strategy of building relationships with the world’s leading media companies.

'This partnership supports our aim to produce award-winning films that are commercially successful and appealing to diverse cultures around the globe.'

Jake Eberts, chairman of National Geographic Films, said: 'National Geographic has access to a seemingly endless treasure trove of images and stories. Each one has the potential to affect our lives. I believe it is our moral obligation to use the power of film to bring people of different cultures together. Imagenation Abu Dhabi and National Geographic are ideally suited to do this.'

Other key personnel involved in the fund include David Beal, president of National Geographic Entertainment; Adam Leipzig, president, National Geographic Films; Lisa Truitt, president, National Geographic Cinema Ventures, which produces and distributes giant screen films; and Stefan Brunner, chief financial officer of Imagenation Abu Dhabi. - TradeArabia News Service