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Internationally-celebrated filmmaker Lawrence Cumbo arrived at NHNZ's Dunedin headquarters this week with unanticipated extra luggage - a spectacular crystal trophy weighing in at 5kg.

The Sheikh Zayed trophy was presented at the inaugural Anasy Documentary Awards held in Abdu Dhabi on May 22. The award, which was one of the event's top prizes, recognized Cumbo's extensive contribution to factual films made about the Middle East during an illustrious career spanning nearly 20 years. These include a vast array of compelling documentaries such as Mothers Behind Bars, Search for the Afghan Girl and Miracle Doctors.

The biennial filmmaking competition is the first of its kind worldwide and, the highest in terms of a collective awards value totalling US$345,000. The 2008 event was hotly contested attracting 121 entries from 18 countries, the best of which were judged by a diverse range of media professionals.

Cumbo made the UAE stop over while en route to New Zealand with his wife and two children to begin work as an Executive Producer at highly regarded New Zealand based production company, NHNZ.

The award was presented by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education, at a lavish green carpet (signifying the importance of the environment in the Middle East) ceremony held at the palatial Emirates Palace. The glitzy function was attended by Her Highness Shiekha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan; actor Danny Glover; Presenter Riz Khan; UAE's royal family and several hundred other film industry members.

As part of the evening's extravagant festivities, a three dimensional hologram of the prolific producer was broadcast onto the stage. Mr Cumbo says he was "a bit overwhelmed" by the attention.

"I was totally honored and humbled to receive the award. The Middle East has always attracted me as filmmaker for its people and its rich culture. Having the opportunity to share their stories cinematically has been a dream job and one I have always felt privileged to do."

Previous roles have taken the talented television producer, who is highly regarded for his strong social conscience, around the globe from war torn Afghanistan to the world's largest prison in India. Cumbo's insightful films have often turned the camera's lense on the human condition and raised awareness about some of the world's more desperate areas.

In 2002 he produced and filmed Search for the Afghan Girl, the story of Afghan refugee Shabat Gula whose iconic photograph graced the cover of a 1985 National Geographic magazine. The film was nominated for an Emmy and has won several prestigious awards including the Cine Golden Eagle Award and the Gold World Medal at the New York Festivals.

Following his work on the insightful film Cumbo and National Geographic established the high profile Afghan Girl's Educational Fund which has raised US$1.5million to educate young Afghan girls.

Cumbo says he is looking forward to his latest challenge at NHNZ where he will immediately begin work executive producing the second series of Orangutan Island for Animal Planet and I Survived... for A&E Television Networks, as well as a groundbreaking project combining CGI with wildlife footage.

"It's a new adventure for me and I'm thrilled to be working with such an experienced and creative team of people."