On Sunday evening, June 22, Solidarnościówka Wrocław, in cooperation with other organizations, published a post on its Instagram profile expressing concern about the New Horizons Festival’s partnership with BNP Paribas Bank Polska SA—our title partner. Two days later, we also received official inquiries via email. The authors of these messages referenced reports pointing to BNP Paribas’ links to the Israeli arms industry, thereby calling into question our cooperation with our title partner.
Let us begin with something obvious—yet essential—that must be stated clearly at the outset: as organizers of the festival, we firmly condemn the genocide committed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip and all crimes against humanity. This stance has been woven into the festival’s DNA since its inception. Every year, through cinema, we give voice to those affected by persecution, violence, or suffering. We do more than present films—we organize meetings with filmmakers and discussions that aim to explore these stories with depth, nuance, and empathy. We recognize that this responsibility extends to other aspects of the festival—particularly financing and partnerships. We are aware that in today’s globalized world, complex networks of international interdependence exist. Following these connections often leads to difficult or uncomfortable realities, including those raised by the authors of the aforementioned post. We are also familiar with the phrase, “in a world dominated by capitalism, there is no such thing as ethical consumption.” Indeed, these networks often point toward practices that are morally questionable or ethically reprehensible. We also understand that such generalizations may be perceived as oversimplifications. That’s why we want to speak directly to the specifics of this situation, and why we are now giving the floor to our partner.
BNP Paribas is not involved in this conflict. Like all major financial institutions, our role is to provide clients with access to markets—not to act or make decisions on their behalf.
BNP Paribas applies rigorous standards—often stricter than legal requirements—to all areas of our operations, especially in the defense sector, and we comply scrupulously with frameworks set by governments and international institutions. We do not determine foreign policy and we do not replace state institutions.
As a financial institution that closely monitors global developments, we take such contexts into account when making decisions. Accordingly, in light of defense issues gaining importance on both the European and NATO agendas, we also participate in the financing of this sector.
We understand the emotions these issues can evoke. As always, we are open to respectful and transparent dialogue, which we believe can help restore a factual perspective.
The festival remains a space for culture, diversity, and exchange. That is why we continue to support this event.
Finally, we would like to thank you—our audience. First, for your patience. We chose to take time for reflection and internal discussion rather than issue a rushed, reactive statement. We understand that social media operates on immediacy, feeding off emotional response and quick judgment—but we were determined not to follow that path. Second, we thank you for your trust.Thank you for acknowledging New Horizons as a festival that confronts difficult, complex topics—and as a meaningful cultural space in an increasingly divided and radicalized Poland. We have several days of July ahead of us, during which—we hope—you will find plenty of evidence that we are not straying from our long-established course.
The New Horizons Team