Toho Europe, Indonesia Film Fund, Cinepolis Pact Among Deals Unveiled at Lumiere Summit

The Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence saw a cluster of industry deals announced on Monday, covering co-production financing, distribution, exhibition and film education. Japanese entertainment group Toho opened a new French branch as part of its European expansion, while Indonesia's Ministry of Culture launched an international co-production fund to position the country as a regional filmmaking hub. Mexican cinema chain Cinépolis also formalised a distribution partnership with Unifrance, and several film schools and institutes signed agreements on talent development, alongside plans for a new Montpellier video game festival.

Toho Europe's French office builds on its acquisition of Anime Ltd. this year, aiming to deepen ties with France's film and animation sectors. Indonesia's fund will offer up to IDR20 billion ($1.13 million) annually for up to ten co-productions, developed with support from France's CNC, with submissions opening ahead of the 2027 programme. Cinépolis will roll out an adapted "Tour de Cine Francés" model in India, Indonesia, Spain and Chile from 2027, marking 30 years of Franco-Mexican film collaboration, while the Sundance Institute and UCLA announced a five-year talent partnership and Montpellier revealed plans for an artistically focused games festival debuting in 2028.