Emmanuel Benbihy
- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Emmanuel was raised in Paris in a family of creative entrepreneurs focused on the F&B, art, advertising and fashion markets. He is a passionate filmmaker & global entrepreneur.
The Cities of Love format is the culmination of his career as a producer and a media strategist.
Emmanuel firmly believes in cinema in the service of diversity and peace. In April 2000, the adventure of Paris, Je T'aime began as a first step in his vision. He put together the principal elements needed for its development and production: narrative structure, artistic and technical specifications, framework to approach directors and talent, contracts, agreement with US Guilds, international marketing strategy and the approach to film financing. All these elements are today part of the Cities of Love franchise. The production of Paris, Je T'aime started in July 2005 and the film ended up opening the Cannes Film Festival 2006, Un Certain Regard section. Paris, Je T'aime also enjoyed a tremendous international success.
The first installment of the Cities of Love series convinced Emmanuel that the adventure should move forward and evolve on other continents, in New York and Rio de Janeiro. New York, I Love You was completed in 2009 and opened at the Toronto international Film Festival.
The third installment of the franchise Rio, I Love You, has been released and completed in 2014. The larger media platform and initiatives behind Rio, I Love You went further to engage millions in the community, lifting spirits, fostering creativity and supporting sustainable urban development.
The latest opus of the franchise, Berlin, I Love You was completed in 2019. The next cities in development are London, Los Angeles and Lisbon. Over the years, Emmanuel has accumulated a precious experience about collective formats. It is now time for the Cities of Love film format to expand its spectrum of themes and its scope of narratives with Democracy, I Love You and Ocean, I Love You.
Conscious of Asia's rise in the global film landscape since the mid 90's, he always thought of China as the most dynamic market and lived in Shanghai between 2009 and 2021. He now shares his time between Barcelona, Lisbon and Tel Aviv.
The Cities of Love format is the culmination of his career as a producer and a media strategist.
Emmanuel firmly believes in cinema in the service of diversity and peace. In April 2000, the adventure of Paris, Je T'aime began as a first step in his vision. He put together the principal elements needed for its development and production: narrative structure, artistic and technical specifications, framework to approach directors and talent, contracts, agreement with US Guilds, international marketing strategy and the approach to film financing. All these elements are today part of the Cities of Love franchise. The production of Paris, Je T'aime started in July 2005 and the film ended up opening the Cannes Film Festival 2006, Un Certain Regard section. Paris, Je T'aime also enjoyed a tremendous international success.
The first installment of the Cities of Love series convinced Emmanuel that the adventure should move forward and evolve on other continents, in New York and Rio de Janeiro. New York, I Love You was completed in 2009 and opened at the Toronto international Film Festival.
The third installment of the franchise Rio, I Love You, has been released and completed in 2014. The larger media platform and initiatives behind Rio, I Love You went further to engage millions in the community, lifting spirits, fostering creativity and supporting sustainable urban development.
The latest opus of the franchise, Berlin, I Love You was completed in 2019. The next cities in development are London, Los Angeles and Lisbon. Over the years, Emmanuel has accumulated a precious experience about collective formats. It is now time for the Cities of Love film format to expand its spectrum of themes and its scope of narratives with Democracy, I Love You and Ocean, I Love You.
Conscious of Asia's rise in the global film landscape since the mid 90's, he always thought of China as the most dynamic market and lived in Shanghai between 2009 and 2021. He now shares his time between Barcelona, Lisbon and Tel Aviv.
