October 11, 2008 07:00 AM Eastern Time 

Academy Award-Winning National Geographic and Imagenation Abu Dhabi Form Joint Venture to Finance Feature Films

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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 today 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 organization 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.”

National Geographic’s Tim 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, added, “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.

About National Geographic Entertainment

National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) combines into a single operating group National Geographic’s Cinema Ventures, Films, Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio. NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media (NGGM), bringing together all of National Geographic’s editorial platforms in order to streamline collaboration and further support the Society's mission. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge”, National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, and television, radio, music and film. It funds more than 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program combating geography illiteracy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

About Imagenation Abu Dhabi

Imagenation Abu Dhabi is a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company, which launched on Sept. 3, 2008. The company will develop, finance and produce full-length feature films and digital content for Arabic and global markets. From its base in Abu Dhabi, the company is establishing partnerships with high-profile, internationally based producers to develop and produce content for distribution internationally, in addition to supporting Middle East filmmakers and Arabian film production. For more information: http://www.imagenationabudhabi.com.