Press release
2022-02-03
BNP Paribas and the film industry are connected by a shared set of values including creativity, imagination and innovation. For over 100 years, the BNP Paribas Group has supported and promoted every aspect of the seventh art, both in France and around the world. Its goal is to bring a rich variety of films to all audiences, while supporting the development of the film industry, promoting the emergence of new talent and encouraging transformation throughout the film world.
Active across the industry’s entire value chain, BNP Paribas’s commitment to film is rooted in three main focus areas:
- financing audiovisual production and supporting the next generation of filmmakers;
- supporting the film industry through our film and festival partnerships;
- promoting film projects to raise awareness about our areas of commitment, such as diversity and inclusion, youth or climate change.
Financing production and supporting future talents
Devoted to financing audiovisual production
In Europe, more than 60 specialists work on our initiatives to finance film productions. In France, the Pôle Image et Médias combines financing activities for film and audiovisual productions. Through its efforts, almost half of all French films receive direct or indirect funding from BNP Paribas.
In February 2022, BNP Paribas has concluded an agreement with Neuflize OBC and UGC, to hold 100% of the share capital of Cofiloisirs, a major player in film and audiovisual financing.
A passionnate partner for over 100 years
BNP Paribas’ history with the film industry goes back to 1917, when the "Banque Nationale de Crédit" (BNC, one of the BNP Paribas group's predecessor banks), granted the first major loan to a film company.
Back in 1935, the Group’s Italian subsidiary BNL created a department devoted to financing film production. Rome, Open City directed by Rossellini in 1944, La Dolce Vita directed by Fellini in 1960, Cinema Paradiso directed by Tornatore in 1989, The Son’s Room directed by Moretti in 2001 – each of these masterpieces received financing from the Bank.
Supporting and revealing the next stars of the Big Screen
Since 2018, BNP Paribas has supported young film talent with its production company BNP Paribas Pictures, through an investment fund dedicated to financing and co-producing the first films of cinema's new talents.
The Group was notably co-producer of the following films: ‘Les Magnétiques,' Vincent Mael Cardona's first film, selected at the 2021 Directors' Fortnight; ‘Une Jeune fille qui va bien,’ the first film directed by Sandrine Kiberlain, shown at the 2021 Critics' Week in Cannes; ‘Les Survivants,’ the first film by Guillaume Renusson, winner of the Mobile Film Festival in 2013 and 2014 and 'Tropiques' by Edouard Salier, in French Theatres in June 2023.
'Une Jeune fille qui va bien', directed by Sandrine Kiberlain.
Celebrating film
In France, the BNP Paribas Group supports national and regional cinema events: the Télérama Cinema Festival, the Lyon Lumière Festival, the César Academy, the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival, the Directors' Fortnight, the Cinéma Paradiso Louvre Festival, as well as events held in Strasbourg, Saint Etienne, Arras, Rennes, Deauville, etc.
Some thirty events receive assistance from the Group through financial support, distributing movie tickets, dedicated communications kits, etc.
For the Group, our passion for film knows no boundaries
In Belgium, BNP Paribas Fortis supports the BNP Paribas Fortis Film Days, the Magritte Awards, the Be Film Festival, the FIFF de Namur, the Ensor Awards, and animated films do not go forgotten at BNP Paribas Fortis, which also supports the Anima Festival in Brussels.
In Italy, BNL pursues its long-term commitment to the seventh art by supporting the International Film Festival of Rome, the Nastri d’Argento Awards as well as the Giornate degli Autori Venice Days, the Premi David di Donatello and many more events.
Sharing our passion with all audiences
To share our passion for the seventh art with all audiences, BNP Paribas became the exclusive partner of the Federation of French Cinemas (FNCF) in 2007, supporting all of its major events in France: La Fête du Cinéma. The Group also supports the Telerama Film Festival.
Since 2021, BNP Paribas has invited more than 100,000 people to experience the emotions of the Big Screen, through its partnerships with film festivals, previews and other cinema events.
Bringing film lovers together
In 2019, BNP Paribas created a platform dedicated entirely to film: welovecinema.bnpparibas. The site offers a wide variety of content for all types of film lovers. This includes news about the film industry, actors, film shoots; information about new releases; trailers and sneak-peek images, etc.
In 2012, BNL launched its new site welovecinema.it to connect film lovers with film industry professionals. We Love Cinema has earned huge success on social media with 180,000 fans and 40,000 followers.
In Belgium, BNP Paribas Fortis is the leading partner of Cinevox, a platform dedicated to promoting Belgian film.
Raising public awareness of the challenges facing our society
Positive impact cinema
Because it is a long-standing player committed to a more sustainable and inclusive economy, the BNP Paribas Group is increasing its support for positive impact cinema. In 2020, BNP Paribas, as principal partner, supported the film ‘WOMAN,’ directed by Anastasia Mikova and Yann Arthus Bertrand, a vibrant film that gives voice to 2,000 women across 50 countries. The film was awarded the Sfera 1932 Award at the Venice Mostra in 2019.
In 2022, as part of the Group’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, BNP Paribas has also supported the promotion of the film ‘Simone, le Voyage du siècle, directed by Olivier Dahan. The film highlights the journey of Simone Veil, her personal struggle and her commitments to womenrights, to Europe and to peace.
In 2023, BNP Paribas supports the film 'Divertimento', which features the life of conductor Zahia Ziouani and the creation of her symphony orchestra Divertimento. A hymn to audacity and dreams that underlines Zahia Ziouani’s ambition to become a conductor in order to make symphonic music accessible to all.
Since 2015, BNP Paribas has been supporting the Divertimento orchestra through various initiatives: the Projet Banlieues, and since 2022 through the support of the BNP Paribas Foundation.
'Divertimento'
directed by Marie-Castille Mention-SchaarYoung people at the heart of our partnerships and events
In 2019, BNP Paribas sought to strengthen its action to promote accessibility of film training and the emergence of young talent, by supporting the following initiatives:
- For young cinema enthusiasts (between the ages of 22 and 32) who have already developed artistic abilities but whose social origin, family history or school career has left them out of high level audiovisual training, BNP Paribas has committed, along with La Résidence de la Fémis, to give them access to an 11-month full-time training course, regardless of any diplomas.
BNP Paribas is also involved, alongside Mille Visages, an association founded in 2006 by the filmmaker Houda Binyamina for her film 'Divines' (César Award for Best First Film), with a major ambition: to democratise the film industry. The association also trains young people across the board to create bridges between the various cinematographic professions.
To enable young people to experience the emotions of the Big Screen, the Group is developing partnerships and dedicated events to support this ambition. In France, BNP Paribas supports the "Coup de cœur des Jeunes" at the Telerama Film Festival, the "César des lycéens" and offers 10,000 tickets to young people for the “Fete du Cinema”.
Rêve de cinéma
And to make sure everyone can enjoy the magic of movies, the non-profit organization Rêve de cinéma, supported by BNP Paribas since 2011, brings the film world directly to hospitalized or disabled children and teenagers, offering them a few hours of entertainment to brighten their day.