MUMBAI: CNN Films, a production and acquisition unit of CNN Worldwide, will announce three new projects from filmmakers Andrew Rossi, the co-directorial team of Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein, as well as a third project directed by Steve James to be executive produced by Martin Scorsese and Steve Zaillian, at a reception co-hosted by CNN Films and the Sundance Institute in Park City.

CNN is acquiring the US broadcast rights to a documentary about the life of Roger Ebert, the journalist, film critic and screenwriter, based upon Ebert?s own memoir, ?Life Itself?. The film is being produced by Kartemquin Films and Steve Zaillian and Garrett Basch?s Film Rites with James directing and Scorsese and Zaillian as executive producers. It will be theatrically released prior to the CNN airing it next year.

The projects associated with Tucker/Epperlein and Rossi are expected to air on CNN in 2013. The untitled Tucker/Epperlein-directed project uses the prism of still photography to reconstruct the events at Ground Zero, and around the country, in the days immediately after the 11 September attacks. The film reveals secret stories behind some of the most extraordinary pictures from that horrific day, and examines how images help us heal and understand.

The yet untitled film to be directed by Rossi examines the historic transformation under way in higher education. Told through the stories of students, educators, and administrators, from the Ivy League to community colleges across the country, the film looks at the costs - and questions of relevance and innovation - that are shaping the future of college as we know it in America.

CNN Worldwide managing editor Mark Whitaker said, "CNN is proud to announce these production agreements at this festival which has done so much to support independent storytelling. Our aim at CNN Films is to showcase the work of exceptional documentary filmmakers and to build conversations around the issues they raise across our global platforms."

CNN Films acquired ?Girl Rising? last year. The documentary is directed by Richard E. Robbins and executive produced by Tom Yellin and Holly Gordon of the Documentary Group and Paul G. Allen of Vulcan Productions. The film portrays the inspiring stories of nine girls from around the world, struggling to overcome incredible odds to achieve an education.

Vocal performances by Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway, and actresses Selena Gomez and Kerry Washington for the film were announced in October. At Sundance, it was also announced that Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, actress Priyanka Chopra, Academy Award winner Salma Hayek, musician Alicia Keys, actresses Freida Pinto and Chlo? Moretz, and actor Liam Neeson will also contribute vocal performances to the documentary. The film?s theatrical debut in March and broadcast premiere on CNN in June 2013 will follow the Sundance sneak preview.

MUMBAI: American cable network CNN has created a new division CNN Films to secure feature-length documentaries for airing on CNN and CNN International, alongside theatrical distribution.

The move is part of a wider strategy to acquire original non-fiction content to complement CNN‘s award-winning news programs, CNN Worldwide Managing Editor Mark Whitaker said.

Girl Rising, the first documentary acquired by CNN Films, will air in spring 2013. The documentary is directed by Academy Award Nominee Richard E. Robbins and executive produced by Tom Yellin and Holly Gordon of the Documentary Group and Paul G. Allen of Vulcan Productions.

CNN Films has also signed development deals with Academy Award Winning Director and Producer Alex Gibney and Director Andrew Rossi. Both will develop original documentaries to air on CNN.

"CNN Films will bring distinguished, thought-provoking documentary programming to our global audiences on all our television, online and mobile platforms," said Whitaker. "We want these documentaries to tell compelling stories and stimulate important discussions across CNN‘s other programs and websites."

The original feature-length documentaries will examine an array of political, social, and economic subject matters. The films will premiere in primetime and will re-air in order to increase exposure. Surrounding the premiere of each documentary, acclaimed CNN programs will run dedicated programming that sheds light on the topics and issues discussed in each film.

In-depth interviews, expert commentary, roundtable discussions, debates, and behind-the-scenes footage will be featured across all of CNN‘s broadcast and online platforms.

CNN Worldwide senior vice president of talent and content development Amy Entelis and CNN Worldwide senior vice president of development and acquisitions Vinnie Malhotra will oversee the acquisition strategy of documentaries under the CNN Films banner. Malhotra will manage the day-to-day operation of CNN Films, and work directly with filmmakers to develop original projects.

CNN Films also plans to bring the documentaries beyond the small screen by developing strategic partnerships to leverage distribution opportunities at film festivals and in theaters, the news broadcaster said.