France and South Korea to Co-Host Cinema and Animated Image Summit in September

France will host a summit on cinema and animated imagery in September, co-chaired with South Korea. The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to Seoul on April 3, 2026. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will travel to France for a state visit coinciding with the summit, scheduled for September 7. This event occurs during the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, established by a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation on June 4, 1886. Macron emphasized the strong bilateral cooperation and invited Lee to the G7 summit he will chair in June in Evian, France. The announcement highlights South Korea's growing cultural influence globally, including through K-pop, K-dramas, cinema, and cuisine, which have gained significant popularity in France. Notably, South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will preside over the jury at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. Macron also discussed shared democratic values, rule of law, and international law, advocating for a 'coalition of independents' involving European and Asian partners to counter hegemonic influences.