President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to France, met with Korean filmmakers on the 7th (local time) on the sidelines of the international film and video industry summit "Lumière Summit." At the meeting, the president said, "We will implement policies that will be felt on the ground by many working in culture and the arts—beyond what they imagined."

President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to France, poses for a commemorative photo with actor Jeon Do-yeon during a conversation with filmmakers at the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence on the 7th (local time). /Courtesy of News1

The roundtable was held in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, under the title "Next scene, speaking about the future of K-content." Directors Lee Chang-dong and Jung Ju-ri, actors Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu, and Kim Min-young, vice president and head of content for Asia-Pacific at Netflix, attended.

At the meeting, the president said, "In less than 100 years, the film sector has grown to a level that stands out globally. There is no other country where a free political environment and democracy—the foundation and roots of culture and the arts—have developed like this."

The president then expressed concern about the polarization of Korea's film industry. "It seems the fruit has ripened very well and abundantly, but the small trees and grasses underneath have all died, leaving only a few large, old trees," the president said, adding, "We need an ecosystem where small trees keep growing."

The president added, "The ladder has been cut off. The government should fill the gap in supporting films whose commercial viability is not guaranteed, but while the surface looks glamorous, the inside is rotting."

Director Lee Chang-dong proposed introducing "SOFICA," France's film investment tax support system. Under the system, when individuals or private corporations invest in independent or mid- to low-budget films, up to 40% of the investment amount is deductible from taxes.

"Through this system, France maintains a solid ecosystem in which around 90 diverse films are produced each year," the director said. The president took notes on a memo pad and said, "When we return, I will have the relevant ministries check this right away. I will let you know the results later."

After the roundtable, the president attended the official luncheon of the Lumière Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse.

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