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EntertainmentMacron to co-chair global cinema summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Sept 7
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French President Emmanuel Macron will co-chair the 'Lumière Summit' on September 7, 2026, in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, alongside South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The summit, described as a 'Davos of cinema,' will gather 150 guests including top executives from major American studios, streaming platforms, movie theaters, and independent filmmakers. The event aims to address unprecedented challenges facing the cinema industry, including a 40% decline in global theater attendance since 2019, competition from streaming platforms and social networks, and technological disruptions from artificial intelligence. CNC President Gaëtan Bruel highlighted the need for a new global governance of the sector. The summit will focus on creation amid technological change, financing international co-productions, and the future of movie theaters and independent cinema. France, as the world's third-largest cinema market behind China and the US, seeks to reaffirm its commitment to the 7th art.
Source report
Emmanuel Macron after the military parade in Paris, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. KAMIL ZIHNIOGLU FOR "LE MONDE"
The "Lumière Summit" will convene on September 7 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence (Alpes-Maritimes), bringing together major global players in cinema, audiovisual, and video games to provide "concrete" responses to the significant "challenges" facing the sector, the Elysée announced on Thursday, July 23.
Summit Details
- Co-chairs: Emmanuel Macron and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jae-myung
- Guests: 150 attendees, including leaders of American majors, movie theaters, streaming platforms, and independent champions
- Venue: Maeght Foundation, home to one of the world's most prestigious collections of modern and contemporary art, in Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Described as a kind of "Davos of cinema," the summit will also include "political figures" and "talents, filmmakers, actresses, actors," the French presidency stated during a press briefing, without providing further details.
Industry Challenges
Cinema is facing "unprecedented challenges," with a 40% drop in theater attendance worldwide since 2019, noted Gaëtan Bruel, president of the National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC). The sector faces increasing competition from streaming platforms and social networks.
"A player like YouTube is becoming a bit of the Spotify of audiovisual, which could eventually replace all other platforms," Bruel emphasized, referring to the audio streaming giant. "It may be time to have a response that stems from a shared approach and to imagine a new global governance of the sector, a multilateralism of cinema," he added.
Key Focus Areas
The summit's secretary general, Vincent Florant, promised "concrete announcements," particularly "economic" ones, regarding:
- International shoots brought back to France
- Strategic partnerships
The summit will focus on three main themes:
- Creation in a world of technological disruptions, especially with artificial intelligence
- Financing the sector to accelerate international co-productions
- The place of the movie theater and independent cinema
France's Position
"France thus positions itself in continuity with its history and its commitment" to the 7th art, the Elysée emphasized, pointing to its invention by the Lumière brothers.
As the "third market in the world" in this sector, behind China and the United States, "it remains and intends to remain one of the world champions of cinema," the presidency insisted. The market share of French cinema stands at 40% in France, "without equivalent in Europe," it added.
Le Monde with AFP
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Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
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Macron to Co-Chair Global Cinema Summit with South Korean President on September 7