MTC touch and Bank Audi sponsor the Lebanese Film Festival

As part of their support for cultural activities in Lebanon, mtc touch, the leader in mobile telecommunications and part of Zain Group, and Bank Audi sal – Audi Saradar Group, the leading bank with regional expansion - sponsored the Lebanese Film Festival, organized by “.. né.à Beyouth” from 21 to 26 August 2008.

In this context, mtc touch stated that its main interest is undoubtedly to provide its customers with the most advanced products and services in the field of mobile telecommunications. In parallel, the company has established a socially responsible strategy aiming at endorsing various Lebanese sectors such as environment, education, social work, tourism and culture. Therefore, mtc touch has sponsored the 7th edition of the Lebanese Film Festival, considering it as an effective and beneficial support for the Lebanese culture and a celebration of the successes of Lebanese talents who have excelled in the film industry. On the other hand, mtc touch believes that the Lebanese film industry, if promoted, would represent a great moral and material wealth for Lebanon, placing it on the world map, which would open new horizons such as the organization of international film festivals in the country.

Bank Audi sal – Audi Saradar Group seized this occasion to confirm its conviction that any successful institution has a duty towards the community in which it operates. In line with social responsibility, and in order to encourage culture as the most delicate realization of social refinement, the Bank plays a major role in supporting socio-cultural activities, mainly through sponsorships, and expends considerable efforts in encouraging the blooming of cultural, artistic and natural heritage in Lebanon. In this context, Bank Audi was proud to be the official partner of the Lebanese Film Festival which aims at establishing and preserving a national cinematographic memory, as well as raising awareness about the importance of cinema in general and encouraging Lebanese creativity in this field in particular. Bank Audi’s sponsorship of such an important cultural event is only additional proof of its commitment to all aspects and dimensions of social and economic development.

From his end, Pierre Sarraf, Director of the Lebanese Film Festival highlighted: “we have registered around 5,000 spectators in 6 days which means that we have been up to the challenge to finally restore a platform for Lebanese films. During the 7th edition of the Lebanese film festival, we have noticed an increasing interest for local cinematographic production, which motivates us to carry on with our mission and increase the audience capacity of the festival in order to gather an even larger number of spectators. In parallel, we would also like to invite a larger number of foreign cinema professionals which will trigger a real inter-cultural dialogue and provide new collaboration opportunities for Lebanese directors. This year’s honored guest, American director Lodge Kerrigan, met with many young Lebanese directors; from his end, Mr. Jeremy Gilley, English director and founder of the NGO “Peace one day”, managed to establish good relations with key civic personalities in order to organize festivities in Lebanon on the occasion of peace day on September 21, 2008. Furthermore, Mr. Andreas Stroehl, the Munich Festival Director briefed the audience about the dynamics of film festivals in Europe as well as financial aid available for current movie-making projects”.

September 2,2008