With the new found global interest in films from Indian, Japan, China, Korea, Iran, the Middle East and other Asian countries which are constantly setting new trends and carrying out brave experiments in the cinema world, there has never been a better time for the film makers from these places.

The time when the films from Hollywood always managed to be technically superior is a fact of the past and the mainstream commercial films from the strongest film industries in Asia are matching the American films in every step thus slowly but surely climbing higher.

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) started two years back is the best example to convey the growing unity and interaction between the established film making countries of Asia and the increasing missions to give the deserved recognition to the films from this part of the world which constitutes three-fourths of the world cinema.

The film awards was started by the State Government of Queensland in association with CNN International, UNESCO and the International Federation of Film Producers Associations with a motive to recognize movies that present the flavour of the culture of the countries in which they are made as well as to appreciate the excellence in the craft of film making.

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards is owned and operated by Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ltd, a subsidiary of Queensland Events Corporation Pty Ltd

For this year's APSA to be held in Queensland in November, over 180 films representing 43 countries will be competing.

Awards will be given for the best feature film, best cinematography, best actress, best children's film, best screenplay, best actor, best animated film, best director and the best documentary.

'A Jihad For Love' made by Parvez Sharma, 'Lakshmi And Me' by Nishtha Jain and 'Yes Madam, Sir' directed by Megan Doneman and based on the life of the famous police officer Kiran Bedi are some of the works that will compete for the best documentary prize.

Other than the regular awards two additional awards are to be given for outstanding achievement.

These awards are: The International Federation of Film Producers Associations Award for outstanding achievement in film in the region of Asia Pacific and the Unesco Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of cultural diversity through films.

Aamir Khan's directorial debut 'Taare Zameen Par', 'Jodhaa Akbar' of Aushutosh Gowariker, 'Colours of Passion' made by Ketan Mehta, 'Firaq' which is directorial debut of the versatile Nandita Das, 'Return of Hanuman' created by Anurag Kashyap, Leena Manimekalai's 'Goddessess', K.Kanade's 'Mahek' and 'The Prisoner' by Prayas Gupta are the entries from India.

There are 12 awards in APSA of which the final entries for each category will be announced on October 1 and November 11 is the date for the Awards ceremony.