Fleet Bank Issues Casting Call For Future Filmmakers.

Fleet Bank announced the creation of a new scholarship program for Hispanic students pursuing careers in filmmaking and the arts. The Fleet Future Filmmaker Award will be developed in conjunction with the organizers of the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF). The presenting sponsor at the festival, Fleet, announced the scholarship program at the culmination of the six-day film festival.

“At Fleet, we focus on empowering people to prepare for the future,” said Leo Gonzalez, Fleet Executive Vice President, Consumer Banking. “Our theme is ‘Mirando al Futuro’ – ‘Forward Thinking’ – and in keeping with this philosophy, we are committed to providing opportunities and opening doors for the next generation of Latino artists and filmmakers so that they too can pursue their dreams.”

Fleet and the NYILFF will work together to develop criteria and select recipients of the Fleet Future Filmmaker Award, and will award the scholarship at a ceremony to be held in October 2003 during Hispanic Heritage Month. The Award will be given to two high school students who will each receive scholarships in the amount of $2000. The finalists also will receive an internship with a director associated with the NYILFF, and an internship with the 2004 NYILFF. Additional details will be made available at Fleet Banks in New York City in the coming weeks.

This is Fleet’s second year of involvement with the film festival, which featured the work of Latino filmmakers from the U.S. and Latin America. “The New York International Latino Film Festival is proud to have Fleet return this year as our presenting sponsor. We are about providing opportunities for Latinos in film, which goes hand in hand with Fleet’s commitment to our community. The continued support of our sponsors has enabled this festival to grow yearly.”, said Calixto Chinchilla, Founder and Executive Director of NYILFF.

In addition to announcing the Fleet Future Filmmaker Award and presenting the NYILFF’ Best Film Award, Fleet also produced a 60-second trailer, entitled “Ours.” The piece, created especially for this year’s festival, featured four Hispanic directors discussing the challenges, struggles and success they have experienced as Latino filmmakers.