The French cinema industry is set to receive a significant boost as the Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul-Malak, unveiled an investment plan of EUR €350 million (USD $376 million) at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. This plan, titled “The Great Factory of the Image,” aims to address the French film industry’s needs and foster its future growth.

The government’s objective is to attract more film shoots to France, particularly foreign productions. To achieve this, the investment will focus on developing film sets and establishing new animation studios. The Ministry of Culture has already selected 68 projects across various regions, with priority given to Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, and the Arc Mediterranean.

Furthermore, the investment will be utilized to support training initiatives aimed at nurturing talent within the industry. The plan intends to enhance existing schools and establish new ones to cater to the growing demand for screenwriters, technicians, and producers. Minister Abdul-Malak emphasized the importance of these professions, noting their significant development within the industry, in her speech in Cannes at the start of the festival.

Overall, the investment plan for French cinema emphasizes the French government’s commitment to nurturing the industry’s growth and attracting international productions. By developing infrastructure, supporting training programs, and acknowledging the potential of animation, France aims to strengthen its position as a prominent player in the global cinema landscape.

However, the Senate’s Culture, Education and Communication Committee published a report at the same time called “Cinema counter-attack: between resilience and cultural exception, a major art with a future”, in which it leveled criticism at the current film funding and support mechanisms and called for a major overhaul.