France and Asia: A Creative Powerhouse in the Making

France is stepping up its game in Asia, seeing the region as a hotspot for creativity in the world of entertainment. The country's film board, CNC, is leading the charge, aiming to make France and Europe major players in this space. At a recent event in Taiwan, CNC's boss Gaetan Bruel shared some big plans. He pointed out that while Hollywood is going through a tough time, it's an opportunity for Europe to shine. France, in particular, has been doing well, ranking third in the world for box office success, right behind the U. S. and China. Taiwan is a key partner for France, especially in virtual reality (VR). The two have been working together for six years, combining Taiwan's tech skills with France's content expertise. This team-up has led to some impressive results, like Taiwan winning a top prize at the Venice Film Festival for a VR project.But France isn't stopping at Taiwan. Indonesia is another focus, with its growing love for movies, especially horror films. France is helping Indonesia preserve its film history and build a stronger local movie industry. Film education is also a big part of France's strategy. They've been working with Taiwan for over a decade to spread film education, seeing movies as a way to empower people and cultures. However, there's a challenge: people are spending more time on screens but less time watching movies or series. This shift is hurting the movie industry, and France is trying to find a solution. Beyond Taiwan and Indonesia, France is also looking to work with Japan, Korea, and China. The goal is to promote a universal idea of cinema, not just French films.