By Variety | Created at 2026-09-07 09:59:39 | Updated at 2026-09-07 12:31:29
3 hours ago
Monday’s Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence generated a cluster of industry announcements alongside its headline declarations, with deals spanning co-production financing, distribution, exhibition and education.
Toho Europe, the regional arm of Tokyo-based entertainment group Toho Co., Ltd. – founded in 1932 and best known internationally for the “Godzilla” franchise – announced a new branch in France. The company has been expanding across the European market since acquiring Anime Ltd. earlier this year, and said the French office would serve as a foundation for deeper engagement with the country’s film and animation industries.
Indonesia‘s Ministry of Culture announced a new international film co-production fund with an annual allocation of up to IDR20 billion ($1.13 million) and capacity to support up to 10 projects a year. Open to filmmakers worldwide working in co-production with Indonesian partners, the fund is designed to connect Indonesian cinema with international networks and position the country as a regional co-production hub. The first call for submissions is expected to open ahead of the 2027 program period. The initiative was developed with support from France’s CNC.
Cinépolis, the Mexico-based cinema operator active in 17 countries, formalized a new partnership with Unifrance at the summit, backed by the French government. The deal adapts the Tour de Cine Francés model – which combines a curated festival program with commercial distribution – for rollout in India, Indonesia, Spain and Chile from 2027. Cinépolis is marking 30 years of collaboration with France through the initiative.
La Fémis, Gobelins Paris, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and the USC School of Cinematic Arts jointly signed a declaration calling for film and moving-image schools to be recognized as strategic partners in creative talent development.
The Sundance Institute and the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television announced a five-year talent development partnership addressing what the signatories described as a “hidden curriculum” in the industry, to be delivered through a digital hub, a Sundance at UCLA Summer Summit bridge intensive, a UCLA at Sundance Festival Experience, and a certificate program combining creative technologies and inclusive excellence.
The City of Montpellier announced plans for a new international video game festival, targeting a first edition in 2028. The city, already a hub for the French games industry, said the event would focus on artistic recognition rather than commercial showcasing, featuring an official competition open to independent and major-studio titles judged on creative merit, alongside a professional market for adaptation rights across film, television, publishing and music. A preparatory mission launches in the fall.
