France hosts first international summit on cinema’s future

On September 7th, France hosted the inaugural Lumière Summit, a global gathering focused on the future of cinema and moving images. The summit aimed to tackle challenges and seize opportunities within the sector, with a particular emphasis on the impact of artificial intelligence, media literacy for children, and the industry's economic landscape.

Co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Korean President Lee Jae-myung, the summit convened 200 high-level delegates from more than 55 nations. Notable attendees included Nigeria's Minister for Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa. The event also included international leaders, decision-makers from film, audiovisual, and video game industries, alongside political figures and creative professionals supporting the summit's objectives.

Following the summit, a statement highlighted its role as a strategic platform for forging new alliances in cinema and moving images. It further emphasized the opportunity for France to showcase its enduring appeal in cinema, television series, animation, and video games through tangible actions.

France's commitment to bolstering the visual and electronic arts was evident in its existing collaborations with the film, audiovisual, and video game sectors. In Nigeria, these efforts manifested through initiatives like supporting the annual Nollywood Week in Paris, a festival celebrating Nigerian films and documentaries. Additionally, the country partnered with the Storymi Academy to enhance the skills of young documentary filmmakers and welcomed Nigerian animators at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

France's engagement with the video game sector was equally significant, involving initiatives such as the Lagos Games Week. This event featured training sessions led by industry experts from major companies like Ubisoft and Virtuos, alongside workshops and pitching panel participation. Furthermore, France supported pan-African esports tournaments, offered digital skills bootcamps in partnership with local game studios, and encouraged Nigerian game studios to take part in international esports festivals, including the Gamers Assembly in France and the Gamescom in Germany.