Lumière Summit sparks new French Toho office, Indonesia film fund, and global cinema partnerships

The Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence became a hub for multiple cross-border media agreements. Toho Europe, the European arm of Japan’s Toho Co., Ltd., announced the establishment of a French office intended to serve as a base for deeper engagement with France’s film and animation industries, following its earlier acquisition of Anime Ltd. Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture launched an international co-production fund capped at IDR20 billion annually, capable of supporting up to ten projects and designed to position the country as a regional co-production hub, with assistance from France’s CNC.

Mexican cinema chain Cinépolis formalised a partnership with Unifrance, backed by the French government, to adapt the Tour de Cine Francés model for India, Indonesia, Spain and Chile beginning in 2027, marking 30 years of collaboration with France. A coalition of film schools—including La Fémis, Gobelins Paris, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and USC School of Cinematic Arts—issued a declaration urging recognition of moving-image schools as strategic partners for talent development.

The Sundance Institute and UCLA also unveiled a five-year partnership delivering a digital hub, a summer summit bridge intensive, a festival experience and a joint certificate program. Finally, the City of Montpellier announced plans for an international video-game festival in 2028 that will prioritize artistic recognition and host a professional market for adaptation rights, with a preparatory mission launching in the fall.