Mumbai: Eighteen aspiring filmmakers will compete for Gateway – a contest that will award the winner an internship and a film for producers Hyde Park Entertainment.

At the helm is Ashok Amritaj and supporting him in this endeavour is Subhash Ghai.

"I have always told Ashok ‘why don't you use Indian talent abroad?’ Now that we have a chance,I am more than happy to contribute,” says Ghai.

Amritraj is clear about the process too. "The contestants will go through some tough challenges every day, and our judges won't make their life easy,” he says.

While Amritraj has shortlisted 18 finalists, the final judges are two Indian filmmakers with a signature style - Anurag Basu, and actor director Rajat Kapoor.

While both these directors seem very impressed by the competition, they don't seem to be in a lenient mood when it comes to picking the winner.

"I almost feel envious that these talented youngsters have this chance, they have all the facilities we used to have such a tough time!" says Basu.

Agrees Kapoor, "We will look for a filmmaker with a distinct voice. I think that sets a good filmmaker apart."

The series to be aired on Sony Pix, Gateway is the first televised hunt for a filmmaker in India and with all fresh filmmakers chasing the Hollywood dream, the show might just turn out to be a fun watch.