Representatives from across the globe adopted the Lumière Declaration on Monday, establishing 15 principles for the future of cinema and the moving image. The declaration, jointly presented by France and the Republic of Korea and convened under the co-chairship of their respective presidents, aims to establish a framework for a “multilateralism of the moving image” 200 years after the first photograph and 130 years after the Lumière brothers’ first public screening.
The declaration asserts that moving images are “a common good: a vehicle for emotion, memory and knowledge, for individual emancipation and collective transformation.” It emphasizes the importance of intentional works, stating they “remain irreplaceable” and will define the future of the industry. A core argument of the declaration is that moving images should exist for more than simply capturing audience attention. “The attention of an audience is not a resource to be captured, but a trust to be honored,” it states.
The document also addresses the importance of diversity in storytelling and creative freedom. It calls for support of creators facing “political, economic or social pressures” and advocates for an industry that prioritizes safety and inclusivity, particularly for women. The declaration emphasizes that an industry that excludes women or operates in unsafe conditions “must become exemplary in the exercise” of its power to shape representations.
Economically, the declaration recognizes the audiovisual industry as “a powerful engine of economic growth” that drives investment, creates jobs, and fosters innovation. It highlights the responsibility of distributors to support future creation and calls for public support for early-stage risk-taking. International co-production is also championed as a way to diversify risk and enrich works, with a commitment to deepen cooperation between established and emerging markets.
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