French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will co-host the first-ever Lumiere Summit on September 7, 2026 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. The one-day event will bring together leaders from over 55 countries to discuss the biggest challenges facing the film industry today. The summit is named after the French film pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumière, who invented the cinematograph in the late 19th century.
The meeting comes as the global film industry faces major shifts. Theater attendance has dropped by 40 percent over the past five years. Free platforms like YouTube are drawing audiences away from traditional cinema. At the same time, artificial intelligence is changing how movies are made, and funding for independent films is becoming harder to find.
Three Big Problems the Summit Will Tackle
The Lumiere Summit will focus on three main issues that are reshaping the entertainment world.
The first is artificial intelligence. The film industry is trying to figure out how to use AI tools without harming the jobs and rights of writers, directors, and other creators. The summit will look at ways to embrace new technology while protecting the people who make films.
The second issue is competition from social media platforms. Short-form video apps like TikTok and YouTube are pulling younger viewers away from movie theaters. The summit will explore how the film industry can win back audiences, especially in growing markets like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The third problem is money. Film financing has become more difficult in recent years. The summit will discuss new ways to fund movies and keep the industry healthy.
Who Is Coming to the Summit
The event will host around 150 to 200 representatives from 30 to 65 countries. Top executives from major Hollywood studios will attend, including leaders from Disney, Netflix, Universal, and Sony. The talent agency CAA will also send representatives.
Technology companies will be there too. TikTok executives are expected to join the discussions. The summit will also include filmmakers, government officials, and cultural leaders from countries like Mexico, South Africa, and Australia.
The Bigger Picture
The Lumiere Summit is part of a larger diplomatic visit. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will be in France from September 6 to 9 for a state visit. He and President Macron first discussed the summit during Macron’s trip to Seoul in April 2026.
The two countries are marking the 140th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the summit will help Korean content and companies expand into European and global markets.
France sees the summit as a chance to show its strength in cinema. South Korea has also built a strong global reputation through K-pop groups like BTS and award-winning films like Parasite.
The Lumiere Summit is a place where governments, companies, and cultural institutions can find practical answers to the changes sweeping the industry.
Vincent Florant, the summit’s secretary-general, spoke about the event at a press briefing on September 3. He said France and South Korea would lead the discussions on AI, social media, and funding challenges.
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What Will Happen After the Summit
President Lee will travel to Paris on September 8 for a two-day state visit. He will hold a private lunch with President Macron, followed by an expanded summit with both delegations.
The two leaders will discuss cooperation in advanced technologies like AI, space, nuclear energy, and biotechnology. Lee will also attend a business roundtable with about 20 companies from both countries. On September 9, he will meet with French National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.
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