Call for a New Multilateral Approach to Safeguard Creative Industries

In a speech reflecting on the century-old origins of cinema, the presenter argued that screens now dominate daily life, delivering both opportunities and challenges for society. While acknowledging the educational and connective power of visual media, the address warned that algorithmic focus on engagement erodes cultural variety and democratic dialogue. The value of moving-image works was framed as economic, cultural and democratic, essential for preserving memory and cross-cultural understanding.

Multiple industry shifts—attention fragmentation, channel concentration, financing changes, new production models and generative AI—were described as converging pressures. To counter these trends, a new form of multilateral cooperation was advocated, bringing together governments, creators, studios, broadcasters, platforms and public institutions. The goal is to ensure ambitious projects can be financed, distributed and experienced, while giving audiences tools to navigate an overload of images.