Nanjing, the capital of six ancient Chinese dynasties with a history of more than 2,500 years, is looking for fresh eyes to document the city’s rise as a metropolis of the future.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific launched a Nanjing-themed program Tuesday in Beijing, seeking filmmakers across Asia to help them produce five documentaries capturing authentic stories of contemporary Nanjing.

"Nanjing Calling: Discovery’s First Time Filmmakers" is the latest Chinese project of Discovery’s First Time Film-makers (FTFM) initiative that began in the UK and landed in China in 2002 for the first time. The final five documentaries will be broadcasted on Discovery Channel in Asia starting September 2014.

Nanjing Calling is the first documentary in the FTFM initiative that focuses on a specific city, rather than a country, according to Vikram Channa, vice president of Production & Development of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific.

"Nanjing has a unique history and culture. Through this joint initiative with Discovery Channel we hope to find talented and visionary filmmakers who can truly uncover mesmerizing stories of Nanjing as she emerges in the 21st century," commented Peng Zhengang, the vice president of Nanjing International Cultural Exchange Association, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion of Nanjing as an internationally recognized city.

"We want the talented filmmakers to answer how Nanjing pulled off the delicate balancing act between technology and tradition, continuity and innovation, past and its future,” said Vikram. "We want to share stories of passionate individuals and groups who are at the forefront of creating a new Nanjing."