BNL – The BNP PARIBAS Group is sponsoring the 26th International Film Critics Week for the seventh year in a row, which will take place from August 31 to September 10, 2011, during the 68th edition of the “Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica di Venezia”, the International Film Show in Venice. The retrospective will provide a selection of seven first films, independently selected by a commission nominated by the Association of Italian Film Critics [Sindacato Nazionale Critici Cinematografici Italiani] and two special events. The films chosen will compete for the Leone del Futuro – the Venetian “Luigi de Laurentiis” Prize for a Debut Film, awarded to the best first work of those presented in the different categories of the Venetian Festival. The seven first films will also compete for the prize “Venetian Region Critics Week Prize for a quality film.”
The Bank will also have a presence at the 68th Venetian International Film Festival during the 8th session of the independent and self-managed Authors News section, Venice Days.
BNL is the bank of reference for cinema: in fact, both through its own and state funding, it provides financial support to the entire film industry, from conception to production, distribution and marketing, including technological innovations and refurbishment of screening halls. Over the past few years, this commitment has fostered the production of over 5000 films, many of which have played a role in the history of Italian cinema and received significant international recognition. BNL also supports the film industry through facilitating mechanisms provided for by new laws, such as tax credits. The Bank's investment policy favors diversification of its involvement in several productions, in order to promote the diffusion of Italian films both in Italian and international markets.
As proof of the Bank's commitment to cinema, BNL has, since the first 2006 edition, become the main partner of the International Film Festival of Rome: a venue that has drawn increasing public support over years.
For the third time, in 2011, the Bank has supported the Italian Film Academy – David of Donatello Awards, contributing to the enhancement of an important event that over the years has followed the history of Italian and international film. In this same year, the Bank was the main sponsor of the Silver Ribbon – the oldest prize for the Italian film world – promoted by the National Union of Italian Film Industry Journalists that took place last June 25th at the Teatro Antico in Taormina.
Finally, for the third time, the Bank was the special partner of the “Ischia Global Film & Music Fest” and subsidized the IX edition of CinemadaMare.
In 2011, in addition, BNL promoted the show, Rendez-vous, appointment with new French cinema, that took place in Rome last spring and the Bank was the sponsor-partner of the first edition of “Moviemov Italian Film Festival,” the show that took place last June in Bangkok aimed at building a “common platform” for promoting new Italian films abroad, specifically in Asian markets.
The Bank is constantly engaged in enhancing new cultural initiatives and alternative forms of communication. Over the years it has been the title sponsor of the Taormina Festival – Taormina BNL FilmFest (2002-2005), as well as official sponsor of the Venetian International Film Festival (1999-2001) which it continues to support by contributing to Authors News - Venice Days and to the Film Critics Week.
Over time, then, BNL has instituted and consolidated a strong tie to the cinema, actively contributing to the growth of Italian cultural life and making possible innovative projects of great impact on social behavior and consumption, and permitting the film industry to keep in step with the evolution of society and, in some cases, to anticipate its future scenarios.
BNL, founded in 1913, is one of the principal Italian banking groups and among the most famous brands in Italy. With about 950 branches in Italy, it offers a large spectrum of products and services, from traditional to more innovative; to satisfy the multiple needs of its clients (private clients, families, businesses and government).
Since 2006, BNL has been part of the BNP Paribas Group, one of the most solid banks in the world according to Standard and Poors. The Group is present in 80 countries, with more than 200,000 partners, more than 160,000 of which are in Europe – through retail banks – in four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. BNP Paribas has key positions in three large sectors: Retail Banking, Investment Solutions and Corporate & Investment Banking.