MADRID�-- Spanish pubcaster RTVE has teamed with Argentina's Maiz Prods. to produce "History of Latin America," one of the most ambitious docu series to come out of Latin America.

"History" is designed as a DVD encyclopedia collection, suitable for schools, higher education or culture groups.

Further co-producers are Argentina's Incaa Film Institute and Cuba's Icaic state film board.

Written by Enrique Adrian Cortes, "History's" first 13-episode season covers the native civilizations, the discovery and colonial period. Season two runs from the Wars of Independence through 1900. The last season reaches the present day.�

Skein will include animation, fictional reconstructions and interviews with historians, sociologists and anthropologists, says Maix producer Pablo Rovito.� Three years in the making, "History" involves 10 film crews, distributed over Latin America.

"History" is the first docu series from Buenos Aires-based Maiz. Created by Rovito and seasoned producer Fernando Sokolowicz.

Rovito and Sokolowicz will have general oversight over skein's direction.

Total budget is around $3.5 million, low for Europe, but considerable for a Latin American docu.��

The first season will be aired by Spanish pubcaster RTVE later this year, Rovito added. Series will be concluded by 2010, the bicentenary of Mexico and Chile's independence and Argentina's revolution.

Maiz was set up three years ago to make "Latin American series for the world market," Rovito says.

Maiz has also produced three features: the Berlin 2006 Alfred Bauer Prize winner "El custodio," gaucho cowboy toon pic "Martin Fierro" and Alberto Lecchi's "Una estrella y dos cafes."