About us

Cinema

Updated On 2025-12-15

BNP Paribas has been a passionate supporter of cinema for over a century. As the leading European financier in the sector, the Bank supports almost half of all French films, thanks to its specialised expertise in audiovisual financing. The Group is also strengthening its commitment by entering into partnerships with prestigious festivals and events, launching initiatives that promote public access to cinema, and opening the first Pathé BNP Paribas cinema.

BNP Paribas, a major player in audiovisual financing

BNP Paribas has established itself as a leading partner in the film industry, financing over 250 films annually across Europe, with nearly half of these projects being produced in France. This commitment is largely reflected in the selection of numerous films at the most prestigious festivals and ceremonies, with awards such as the Palme d'Or at Cannes and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for the films we financed in 2025.

Teams of experts dedicated to financing audiovisual media

BNP Paribas is present throughout the entire film value chain and relies on around a hundred experts spread across Europe who have a thorough understanding of the sector's specificities. These bankers specialising in the film industry are involved at all stages of production and across all market segments. Their areas of expertise include:

  • Production: In 2024, BNP Paribas financed nearly half of the 309 films produced in France, including several works selected for the biggest festivals.
  • Screening: the Group supports cinema owners in their projects for creation, renovation and equipment.
  • Distribution: BNP Paribas supports both French and American distributors, offering them financing tailored to their needs.

Whether it's a film, a series, a documentary, or a video game, our specialists contribute their strategic vision to ensure the success of these creative projects, through a comprehensive range of solutions. 

Tailor-made financing solutions

Our activities are organised around our Image & Media Department, which comprises the Image & Media Business Centre and the specialised subsidiaries Cofiloisirs and Cinécapital. We create bespoke financial arrangements for every project, from development to commercial screening.

  • Our Image & Media Business Centre coordinates all financing activities relating to film and audiovisual productions. It supports producers, distributors, cinema owners, and technical industries throughout their projects.

  • Cofiloisirs, a credit institution specialising in audiovisual services, has provided financing solutions tailored to each project for over 50 years, supporting customers through every stage of film creation (development, preparation, production, post-production, acquisition). Cofiloisirs, one of the company's long-standing businesses, is also involved in financing operations (construction, modernisation, expansion of cinemas).

  • Cinécapital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cofiloisirs, adds a unique strategic dimension to the set-up. It manages the SOFICA CINECAP, a private investment vehicle marketed by the Private Banking teams of BNP Paribas and advises companies in the sector on their operations in terms of financing strategy and asset disposal.

BNP Paribas, the leading bank for European cinema

Our Image & Media Department has made BNP Paribas the leading bank in financing cinematographic and audiovisual works. Our system's unique feature lies not only in the experience and expertise of our teams, but also in our ability to mobilise all BNP Paribas Group business lines. This significant cross-functionality enables us to anticipate market developments and provide our clients with the best advice and comprehensive solutions. BNP Paribas' influence extends far beyond French borders thanks to its strategic locations. 

In Italy, BNL BNP Paribas has supported the film industry since the 1930s, with over 5,000 films financed, and assists with film production, distribution and export. The Bank also supports the sector by partnering with festival and sponsoring iconic movie theaters, dedicated to young audiences such as the Troisi Cinema, site of culture in the heart of Trastevere in Rome, and the authorial cinema like the Azzurro Scipioni where BNP Paribas Group has promoted the renovation of the movie theater.

In Belgium, BNP Paribas Fortis supports the audiovisual sector through its subsidiary BNP Paribas Fortis Film Finance, largely thanks to the Tax Shelter mechanism. Since its creation in 2007, over €450 million have been raised and more than 800 projects supported. A commitment that helps to enhance and energise the Belgian cultural landscape.

This unique presence allows the bank to support audiovisual creation throughout the European Union, naturally consolidating its status as an essential benchmark for all professionals in the sector.

Festivals and partnerships: celebrating a passion for cinema

For over 100 years, BNP Paribas has passionately supported French and European cinema. The Bank currently finances almost half of all French films thanks to its experts dedicated to the audiovisual sector. From production financing to partnerships with numerous festivals, BNP Paribas supports the entire cinema value chain. The Group is a partner of nearly 30 film festivals worldwide (Festa del Cinema di Roma in Italy, Lyon's Lumière Festival in France, Festa do Cinema Francês in Portugal, Films on the Green in the USA, the French Film Festival in Australia, etc.). Through its various partnerships, BNP Paribas invites nearly 100,000 people to the cinema worldwide each year, including 75,000 in France.

  • Cannes

    An essential highlight for the ‘Cinema Bank’

    At the Cannes Film Festival, BNP Paribas reaffirms its position as the leading bank for cinema and its commitment to professionals in the sector. The event also provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the projects it supports and demonstrate its commitment to fostering creativity. Films financed by BNP Paribas truly shine in parallel sections such as the Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week, both of which the Group is a partner of. These selections showcase the talents that the bank has supported for decades. Beyond its presence, BNP Paribas also participates in meetings that foster dialogue between creators, producers and institutions, helping to make this important event a space for exchanging ideas and perspectives on the future of cinema.

    Here's a look back at our actions in Cannes in 2025

  • The César Awards

    Alongside creators, producers and young film enthusiasts

    Present at all stages of filmmaking, BNP Paribas supports the talents whose works shine all the way to the French “César Awards”. By supporting the production of numerous films, the Group contributes to the creation of works that define each edition. Furthermore, BNP Paribas is a co-founder of the Daniel Toscan du Plantier Prize, which honours producers who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and commitment to cinema in the past year. BNP Paribas is also partnering with the César des lycéens (High School Students' César Award): an educational initiative carried out in partnership with the César Academy and the French Ministry of Education, which brings together young film enthusiasts around the talents of French cinema and encourages their critical eye.

  • Lyon's Lumière Festival

    Promoting cinematic heritage

    As an official partner of Lyon's Lumière Festival since its creation in 2009, BNP Paribas supports this unmissable event for heritage cinema which celebrates the memory of cinema every year in Lyon. This partnership aligns with the bank’s core values, as the city associated with the Lumière brothers is internationally recognized as the historical birthplace of cinematography and modern cinema. The Lumière Festival offers retrospectives dedicated to legendary filmmakers and presents restored films in optimum technical conditions. It also provides remarkable opportunities to meet iconic figures from the world of cinema. The shared history between BNP Paribas and the Festival demonstrates a strong mutual commitment to preserving and transmitting cinematic heritage.

    Discover Lyon's Lumière Festival

  • The Biarritz Film Festival - Nouvelles Vagues

    The future of cinema: emerging voices and perspectives

    BNP Paribas demonstrates its commitment to the future of cinema by supporting key initiatives aimed at younger audiences, such as the Biarritz Film Festival – Nouvelles Vagues. Established in Biarritz in 2023, the Nouvelles Vagues Festival showcases emerging talent through an international competition featuring original feature films created by professionals aged under 35. This unique cinematic event takes place every year at the end of June on the Basque coast and showcases films with storylines focused on youth and new generations.

    Immerse yourself in the Nouvelles Vagues Festival

  • The Rome Film Festival

    Rome rolls out the red carpet with BNL BNP Paribas

    The Rome Film Festival illuminates the Eternal City every year, bringing together works, talents, and audiences from around the world: a place of encounter, sharing, and emotions. Its beating heart, the Auditorium Parco della Musica, transforms into a true international stage where premieres, exclusive encounters, artistic discoveries, and retrospectives follow one another. As the main partner of the event for over 20 years, BNL BNP Paribas plays a key role in its outreach, notably by opening its behind-the-scenes to the general public on its social media We Love Cinema and BNL BNP Paribas. A partnership that enriches the Festival experience and showcases cinema in all its forms.

    Explore the Festivals supported by BNL BNP Paribas

We Love Cinema: a digital platform serving film lovers

From its presence at the Cannes Film Festival to the exclusive screenings of We Love Cinema, the Group supports film creation and festivals while providing audiences with unique cinematic experiences. As part of this commitment, BNP Paribas encourages cinema attendance and supports the promotion of all types productions: animated films like “A Magnificent Life”, lesser-known works such as “TKT”, “Avignon”, “I love Peru” and “La Pampa” mainstream films such as “Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning” or “Avatar : Fire and Ash” not to mention the iconic adaptations of French literature such as “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “L'étranger”.

Exclusive screenings and previews

In France, the We Love Cinema by BNP Paribas platform showcases our commitment to cinema. Designed for film enthusiasts, it brings together a community of film fans by offering exclusive content and transforming each screening into a special experience with its Privilege Screenings.


These events give film fans the opportunity to watch films before their official release, often in the company of the creative teams. Meetings with directors and other events are held throughout the year. These Privilege Screenings also extend to partner festivals such as the Cinéma Paradiso Louvre Festival or the BNP Paribas CinéCulte operation. In 2025, almost 30,000 invitations were made available via competitions on the We Love Cinema website and social media. 

Additionally, We Love Cinema keeps its community up to date with the latest cinema news, including film analyses, behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive interviews and coverage of major festivals, via its @WeLoveCinemafr accounts.

We Love Cinema in Europe

In Italy, BNL BNP Paribas is continuing this momentum by uniting a community of over 430,000 enthusiasts through its We Love Cinema, Facebook, X and Instagram accounts. Film fans can enjoy exclusive content, behind-the-scenes glimpses and the latest film news.

In Belgium, BNP Paribas Fortis is pursuing a similar ambition with its welovecinema.be platform, which highlights the sector with news about Belgian and international cinema, CineWish ticket giveaways, and job offers in the film industry.

BNP Paribas CinéCulte screenings

First launched in 2022, the BNP Paribas CinéCulte screenings breathe new life into classic films that have shaped cinema history by showing them on the big screen again. Open to everyone in France through a lottery system and offered entirely free of charge, these events provide a special opportunity to (re)experience cult favourites in the unmatched ambiance of a cinema. Each edition highlights an iconic theme, offering attendees the chance to immerse themselves in legendary worlds and share the collective emotion of the silver screen.In 2025, to mark the release of "Avatar: Fire and Ash", BNP Paribas CinéCulte is screening James Cameron's top films from 8–12 December in five French cities, with 5,000 tickets available via We Love Cinema.  

Facilitating public access to cinema

To allow as many people as possible to experience the emotions of the silver screen, we support unmissable events such as La Fête du Cinéma in France and the BNP Paribas Fortis We Love Cinema Days in Belgium. This support is part of BNP Paribas' commitment to encouraging attendance at cinemas, supporting the ecosystem that sustains them, and making the big screen experience more accessible.

  • A loyal partner of La Fête du Cinéma for over 20 years, BNP Paribas has made numerous free places available each year to allow as many people as possible to experience the magic of cinema. Organised by the National Federation of French Cinemas (FNCF), this initiative allows everyone to discover films showing in metropolitan France at the special event price of 5 euros per screening. It is an unmissable occasion in the French cinematic calendar.

  • Every September, BNP Paribas Fortis turns Belgium into a veritable cinematic paradise with its We Love Cinema Days. This unique initiative sees more than 450 venues across the country come together to offer widespread access to culture for four consecutive days. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators thanks to its simple yet effective formula: buy one ticket and get one free for all films currently showing. The event strengthens the Belgian cultural fabric by boosting attendance at independent cinemas and multiplexes alike.

  • BNP Paribas supports the sector by helping cinemas develop, modernise, and remain central to cultural life. This long-standing support translates into consistent assistance for cinema owners, whether for renovations or initiatives aimed at enhancing the film-going experience.

The Pathé BNP Paribas cinema

Opened in May 2025 in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, this five-screen complex with a total of 440 seats marks a historic first in France. No other cinema had previously borne the name of a brand alongside a cinema owner. Located in the Opéra district of the French capital, at 32 rue Louis Le Grand, this fully renovated cinema combines modern comfort with cutting-edge technology. The Pathé BNP Paribas cinema allows the Group to host its previews and exclusive cinema-related events in Paris, including those dedicated to the We Love Cinema fan community. BNP Paribas clients are provided with exclusive advantages, including preferential rates and access to unique immersive experiences.  

Responsible initiatives for sustainable cinema

For over 100 years, BNP Paribas has passionately supported French and European cinema. From the initial stages of film financing to the We Love Cinema Privilege Screenings, BNP Paribas facilitates creation in all its forms and offers the public unique experiences. True to its commitments, the Group supports initiatives that reduce its environmental footprint and backs cinema with a positive impact.

For an inclusive and engaged cinema

A long-time committed player for a more sustainable and inclusive economy, the Group is increasing its support for impactful cinema by accompanying the promotion of works that explore diversity and equal opportunities, and which are fully in line with the Group's commitments. Support for films like “There’s still tomorrow” by Paola Cortellesi, “Un p'tit truc en plus” by Artus and “Invincible été” by Stéphanie Pillonca, underline our determination to support storylines which tackle the issues facing our society. Powerful films that demonstrate how cinema can promote social inclusion and diversity awareness.

Support for eco-production 

The Group favours more responsible audiovisual production by supporting its clients to adopt more sustainable practices and supports developments in the sector. This approach is part of a comprehensive vision of environmental responsibility that guides the bank's financing decisions. 

In 2025, Cofiloisirs committed to eco-production within its French and European audiovisual sector, by guiding its clients towards sustainable production practices. Cofiloisirs, which holds the Ecoprod certification - the only French certification dedicated to eco-friendly audiovisual production and audited by an accredited independent third-party organisation, with support and validation from ADEME - is offering a €500,000 grant to support client projects that meet stringent environmental criteria. This system is based on a precise framework that allows the ecological impact of a project to be measured via an eco-production score. 

Over a period of five years, the five certified projects that achieve the highest annual eco-scores will each receive a bonus of €20,000. Through this initiative, Cofiloisirs wishes to promote sustainable production practices by encouraging the most eco-responsible projects.