Three CGTN documentaries that sought to shed light on some of the most pressing issues in Asia have been picked as finalists in the 2017 New York Festivals International Film and Television Awards, where they will vie for the prestigious gold, silver, and bronze world medals.

Stephanie Freid's "‍Inside Zaatari‍," a portrait of life inside Jordan's largest camp for Syrian refugees, and Barnaby Lo's "Operation: Drug War," a piece on the Philippines' war on drugs, will compete in the festival's current affairs category. Lo's "Gold Town," a documentary on children working as miners at a rural town in the Philippines, is a finalist under the community portraits category.

The documentaries aired on Assignment Asia, a 30-minute current affairs program on CGTN, which was formerly known as CCTV News. The two-year-old weekly show aims to tell the story of the world's most vibrant and diverse continent through its people, as well as drawing attention to under-reported issues.

In 2016, the program was recognized at the New York Festivals and US International Film & Video Festival, among others.

This year's finalists were chosen among entries from 40 countries, according to the awards committee. They underwent the scrutiny of 180 judges from 34 countries, including officials from some of the world's largest media organizations. 

The winners will be announced on April 25 at the NAB Show in Las Vegas.