Lumière Summit Unveils €1 Billion Franco-Korean Partnership and New Declaration for Global Cinema

On Monday 7 September, the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence hosted the inaugural Lumière Summit, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. Delegates included filmmakers, studio executives, cultural ministers and representatives from more than 55 countries.

George Clooney, Juliette Binoche and Pedro Almodóvar among stars at Lumière Summit

The summit responded to “dramatic upheaval” in entertainment, driven by short-form platforms, AI advances and studio consolidation. Organisers presented the event as a counter to declining cinema attendance and a call for multilateral mechanisms that protect creative industries while embracing new technologies.

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• About 300 participants from over 60 nations attended, including roughly 20 culture ministers and senior figures from Disney, Universal, Sony Pictures, Netflix and the Academy.

George Clooney, Juliette Binoche and Pedro Almodóvar among stars at Lumière Summit

• France and South Korea each pledged €500 million to a new “Lumière Partnership,” forming a €1 billion fund for equity stakes, R&D, creative innovation and co-financing from 2027-2031.

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• Since January 2026, international productions have committed €628.5 million to spending in France, a level projected to near €1 billion by year-end.

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• The Lumière Declaration adopted at the summit outlines 15 principles for global moving-image governance, emphasizing cultural diversity, creator rights and AI transparency.

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Macron defended France’s tax-credit system, noting recent enhancements that now cover above-the-line costs and attract major productions. He described French cultural policy as a pillar of soft power, linking creative diversity to jobs and influence. President Lee endorsed the partnership, stressing that openness can strengthen distinctive creative cultures.

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• “YouTube is very efficient. It’s de facto the default platform in a lot of countries for a lot of people. And it’s quite clear that today they divert a lot of people from these platforms or the big channels where a lot of money is invested in creation,” — Emmanuel Macron

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• “We improved tax credits, international tax credits. If somebody wants to withdraw this tax credit, it will just kill the industry and a lot of opportunities,” — Emmanuel Macron

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The €1 billion fund aims to bolster the global screen ecosystem by providing capital to companies that can compete internationally, diversifying risk and enriching output. Coupled with the Lumière Declaration’s principles—prioritising human creativity over algorithmic control and safeguarding IP rights—the summit seeks a governance framework that balances innovation with cultural preservation.

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The partnership’s first funding instruments launch in 2027, with subsequent rounds through 2031. Signatories to the Lumière Declaration are invited to add their names, expanding the multilateral model. Ongoing talks will address AI-driven discoverability, piracy prevention and the preservation of physical archives.

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