The 67th Venice International Film Festival is in full swing. The oldest film festival in the world opened on Thursday night and runs until 11 September on the Venice Lido. Supported by BNL since 2007, the festival takes place every year in the “Most Serene Republic,” with a Golden Lion waiting for this year’s winners.

The festival aims to raise awareness and promote the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms: as art, entertainment and as an industry, all in a spirit of freedom and tolerance.

BNL also sponsors “International Critics’ Week” (La settimana internazionale della critica”), an event promoted, organized and managed by the National Union of Film Critics “Sindacato Nazionale Critici Cinematografici Italiani” and runs throughout the festival. The program features 10 films chosen by a group of well-known Italian film critics.

And don’t forget the “Giornate degli Autori: Venice Days,” another event running parallel to the mostra. Since 2004 this event includes events and meetings with writers and filmmakers. This year, Iranian director and former Golden Lion winner Jafar Panahi will be present to talk about his new film, “The Accordian.”