Metzler supports Japanese Film Festival Nippon Connection

From May 28 to June 2, 2024, Frankfurt will once again become the capital of Japanese film. The Film Festival Nippon Connectionis the world's largest platform for Japanese film culture and presents around 100 current feature-length and short films – including many German, European and international premieres. The festival also offers 60 workshops, concerts, lectures, panel discussions and exhibitions. The festival centres are the Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm and the NAXOS production house. This year, the festival is focussing on the theme ‘Crossing Borders’.

Bankhaus Metzler is one of the main sponsors of the Japanese film festival for the 19th time. And for the 19th time, the audience award NIPPON CINEMA AWARD, sponsored by the bank, will be presented on the last day of the festival. Gerhard Wiesheu, CEO of Bankhaus Metzler, is looking forward to the Metzler reception, which traditionally takes place at the end of the festival each year. ‘The motto “Crossing Borders” applies perfectly to the Film Festival Nippon Connection. Every year, the Japanese cultural event helps to build bridges and promote exchange and respect between cultures. I am therefore very much looking forward to the numerous films, the festival atmosphere and the personal exchange at our reception,’ says Wiesheu.

‘Crossing Borders’ also applies to Bankhaus Metzler: Metzler Asset Management (Japan) Ltd. has been represented in the Japanese financial centre of Tokyo since 2001. Since then, the employees there have established themselves as a recognised contact for institutional clients from Japan in asset management. 

Bankhaus Metzler is celebrating its 350th anniversary this year. For centuries, it has had a tradition of supporting cultural and social initiatives: charitable activities are a recurring theme in Metzler's corporate history – especially in the city of Frankfurt. The projects are preferably supported in long-term co-operations and on the basis of the personal commitment of employees. The many years of excellent cooperation with the Nippon Connection team show that Metzler's commitment to Japan is long-term – both in business and cultural terms. 

The film festival is organised by the largely voluntary team of the non-profit association Nippon Connection e.V.. It is organised under the patronage of the Hessian Minister of State for Science and Research, Art and Culture, the Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt and the Consulate General of Japan in Frankfurt. Since its foundation in 2000, the festival has developed into the largest platform for Japanese film worldwide and the film festival with the largest audience in Hesse, with over 18,500 visitors in the past year 2023.