South Korea and France Bring Netflix, Disney and Global Film Leaders Together for the 2026 Lumière Summit

South Korea is taking a leading role in a new global conversation about the future of film.

On September 7, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and French President Emmanuel Macron will co-chair the inaugural Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, bringing together major names from film, streaming, technology and government.

A New Global Summit for Film and Moving Images

The Lumière Summit is being billed by organizers as the first international summit dedicated to the future of cinema and the moving image.

The event will bring together around 150 high-level participants from across the global screen industries, including executives, creators, policymakers and cultural institutions.

Official organizers say the summit will focus on how film, television, streaming, animation and other screen industries can respond to rapid technological and economic change.

Netflix, Disney and Hollywood Are Joining the Discussion

Reuters reports that major global entertainment companies including Netflix, Disney and NBCUniversal are expected to participate, alongside other film-industry and technology leaders.

The presence of these companies makes the summit especially significant as traditional movie studios and streaming platforms increasingly compete for the same global audiences.

Artificial Intelligence Will Be a Major Topic

Artificial intelligence is expected to be one of the most closely watched subjects at the summit.

The official program includes discussions about how creators and studios can use new technology while protecting creative work, preserving the role of artists and ensuring that the value generated by content is shared fairly.

Other major issues include funding for ambitious productions, changing audience habits and the growing competition for attention from social-media platforms.

How Can Movies Reach New Global Audiences?

Another major theme is distribution.

The summit will examine how films and television programs can reach audiences in rapidly growing markets, including regions such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Organizers say better physical, broadcast and digital infrastructure will be important if the global screen industry wants to expand beyond its traditional markets.

Why South Korea Is Co-Leading the Summit

South Korea's role as co-chair reflects how dramatically Korean entertainment has expanded internationally.

K-pop, Korean dramas, streaming series and films have become major cultural exports, while internationally recognized productions such as “Parasite” helped establish Korean cinema as a powerful global creative force.

The French Embassy in Korea said the summit is also expected to create new opportunities for cooperation between Korean and French creators, production companies, platforms and cultural institutions.

Possible areas of cooperation include co-productions, investment and international content distribution.

Lee Jae-myung Heads to France

The Lumière Summit will take place during President Lee's state visit to France from September 6 through 9.

After co-chairing the summit on September 7, Lee is scheduled to hold bilateral talks and other meetings with Macron as South Korea and France continue expanding cooperation in culture, technology and business.

What the Lumière Summit Could Mean for K-Content

For Korean entertainment, the summit comes at an important moment.

Streaming platforms have helped Korean series and movies reach audiences around the world, but the industry is also facing the same questions affecting Hollywood and European cinema: rising production costs, AI, changing viewing habits and increased competition for audience attention.

By co-leading the Lumière Summit, South Korea will have a prominent voice in discussions that could help shape how global film and streaming industries evolve over the next several years.

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Sources: Reuters, Élysée Palace, official Lumière Summit, France en Corée and Korea.net. September 3–4, 2026.