Macron Warns About Social Media and Asks to Protect Films

French President Emmanuel Macron opened the Lumiere Summit on Monday. He spoke to a large crowd of leaders and filmmakers. This special event took place at an art museum called Fondation Maeght. This museum is in Saint Paul de Vence.

During his speech, Macron talked about the future of movies. He warned the audience about the dangers of social media. Today, many people scroll through social media on their phones. They only look for quick reactions and likes. Macron said this constant flow of images is bad for our minds. It changes how we think and create. He said our attention is a valuable economic resource. Traditional film companies now compete with platforms like TikTok and YouTube for our time.

Macron wants many nations to work together. He wants to protect local films. He believes countries should help fund their own movies instead of leaving everything to global platforms.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also spoke at the meeting. He shared the same worries about the future of cinema. France and South Korea signed a big trade agreement on Monday. The two countries will invest more than one billion dollars in films and animation. Lee Jae Myung said independent cinema is very important for future growth.

Many famous people attended the summit. Top bosses from Netflix, Disney, and HBO went to the event. Famous actors and directors like George Clooney also traveled to France for this meeting. They want to find new ways to help the movie industry. The summit will continue to focus on important topics. Leaders will discuss artificial intelligence, changing habits, and funding for new projects.