
Inside Lens (2015-2020)
Inside Lens is a series by NHK World TV that broadcasts documentaries directed by filmmakers living in Asia. We air documentaries that highlight local communities as the lens through which the dynamism of modern Asia is portrayed.
Inside Lens has two different formats. The first format is the documentaries about Asia directed by Asian filmmakers including foreign filmmakers who have lived in Asia for several years. There are many Asian filmmakers who have unique lens to depict the society closely and at the same time they are trying to co-produce the film with overseas broadcasters or production companies. "Unique lens" and "co-production" are the key words of the first type.
The second format is the documentaries about Japan directed by foreign filmmakers living in Japan. The documentaries should be rooted in the present tense that tell relevant and timely stories about what Japan is facing today.
We encourage innovative and intelligent filmmaking that speaks of the concerns of Asia and Japan today. Inside Lens is for ambitious, emerging filmmakers willing to develop projects to engage with NHK World's worldwide audiences that have interest in Asia and Japan. Strong narratives and captivating characters are essential prerequisites.
Recent Episodes
Episode | Name | Airdate |
---|---|---|
2020-03-15 | My Disappearing Village | Mar 15, 2020 |
2019-12-15 | Fighting Against Air Pollution | Dec 15, 2019 |
2019-10-20 | Dear Mom | Oct 20, 2019 |
2019-09-22 | Dreaming of My Homeland | Sep 22, 2019 |
2019-08-25 | My Little Dancing Shoes | Aug 25, 2019 |
Recently Updated Shows

Alone
Alone places ten hardcore survivalists alone in the wilderness - no camera crew, no teams, no producers - on a single mission to stay alive. At stake is $500,000 awarded to the person who can last the longest. They will face extreme isolation and psychological distress as they plunge into the unknown, self-documenting their experience.

Guy's Grocery Games
In each episode of Guy's Grocery Games, four talented chefs compete in a number of challenges as they navigate their way through the aisles of a grocery store, adhering to "real-world" obstacles. Whether it is shopping on a budget, substituting out-of-stock ingredients or grabbing groceries at closing time, each chef has to shop, prepare, and plate three different dishes using whatever they can pull off the shelves. Ultimately, the food does the talking, as one-by-one the losing chefs "check out," by a rotating panel of judges that includes Melissa d'Arabian, Richard Blais, G. Garvin, Troy Johnson, Catherine McCord, Aarti Sequeira, among others. The last chef standing goes on a shopping spree of a lifetime worth up to $20,000!

Wild Cards
Wild Cards follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman. Ellis, a demoted detective, has unfortunately spent the last year on the maritime unit, while Max has been living a transient life elaborately scamming everyone she meets. But when Max gets arrested and ends up helping Ellis solve a local crime, the two are offered the opportunity to redeem themselves, with Ellis going back to detective and Max staying out of jail. The catch? They have to work together, with each using their unique skills to solve crimes. For Ellis, that means hard-boiled shoe leather police work; for Max, it means accents, schemes and generally befriending everyone in sight, while driving Ellis absolutely nuts. Against the backdrop of beautiful Vancouver — with all its unique, charming, and even contradictory neighbourhoods and subcultures — the two will have to learn what it means to trust another person and maybe actually become partners.