There was no doubt that BNP Paribas’ Eastern branch network would renew its partnership with the European Fantastic Film Festival in Strasbourg once again in 2010. This year, for its 3rd edition, the event is an affiliated member of the European Federation of Fantastic Film Festivals. Strasbourg will be the first French festival to hold a Méliès d’Argent competition since the award was created 14 years ago. And for the first time, the jury will award a Méliès d’Argent prize for the “Best European fantasy feature film.” The winning film at Strasbourg will go on to compete in the Méliès d’Or competition at the Festival de Sitges, where it will compete against the winners from the other festivals affiliated with the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation.

From September 14-19, the Strasbourg programme will boast an exceptionally broad range of entries, including European films, classic revivals, special screenings and previews, documentaries, 3D features and more.

There are nine contenders for the prize, including first-time entries from Iceland and Germany. In the revival category, you’ll get the chance to rediscover six of Val Lewton’s shadowy masterpieces produced for RKO in the 1940s. There will also be some bold Italian pop cinema of the 1960s represented by seven little-known films, especially selected for the festival organized with the Italian magazine Nocturno.

But the Strasbourg Festival isn’t limited to movie theatres. The entertainment continues beyond the screenings, and includes an evening of music, the inauguration of a fantasy village where film buffs can gather to discuss the selected films, and an evening of Star Wars without Star Wars, which will include the first French screening of both The People vs. George Lucas by Alexander O. Philippe and Fanboys by Kyle Newman.

A truly fantastic event – come join us!