I take this opportunity to share key learning experiences from the just concluded Lumiere Summit 2026. Held in France. Under the theme “Forging New Alliances for Cinema and the Moving Image” the Insights from the Lumière Summit.
The future of storytelling is being shaped by unprecedented collaboration, technological innovation, and the convergence of creative minds from across the globe. It was therefore a privilege to join distinguished industry leaders, policymakers, filmmakers, distributors, investors, technology innovators, and cultural institutions at the Lumière Summit, a global platform dedicated to advancing the future of cinema and the moving image.
Held under the theme “Forging New Alliances for Cinema and the Moving Image,” the summit brought together some of the world’s foremost thinkers and practitioners in the audiovisual sector to examine the opportunities, challenges, and emerging trends that will define the next chapter of global storytelling.
For me, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Film Commission, the summit provided a valuable opportunity to engage with industry experts, exchange ideas, build strategic networks, and position Kenya within the evolving global screen ecosystem.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Lumière Summit was the convergence of leading voices from across the film, television, digital media, technology, policy, and investment sectors. The discussions reflected a shared understanding that storytelling remains one of humanity’s most powerful tools for shaping culture, preserving heritage, influencing perceptions, and driving economic growth.
Industry leaders emphasized that the future of cinema will increasingly depend on collaboration across borders, disciplines, and technologies. In a rapidly changing environment, success will belong to those who can build strong alliances that connect creators, audiences, investors, distributors, and innovators.
The summit demonstrated that while storytelling methods continue to evolve, the demand for authentic, compelling, and culturally relevant narratives remains stronger than ever.
A major area of discussion focused on how technological advancements are transforming the way stories are conceived, produced, distributed, and experienced.
Experts explored the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), virtual production technologies, immersive experiences, extended reality (XR), advanced visual effects, and data-driven audience engagement. These technologies are redefining traditional production models while creating new opportunities for creators to reach global audiences.
While technological innovation featured prominently throughout the summit, there was broad consensus that technology should enhance rather than replace human creativity. The future of storytelling will continue to be anchored in powerful narratives, emotional connection, and authentic human experiences.
For African storytellers, these developments present a unique opportunity to leverage emerging technologies while sharing stories that reflect the continent’s rich cultures, histories, aspirations, and innovations.
The summit highlighted the importance of forging stronger partnerships across the global audiovisual value chain. Discussions underscored the need for deeper collaboration between governments, film commissions, studios, broadcasters, streaming platforms, educational institutions, technology companies, and private investors.
As production becomes increasingly international, partnerships are becoming essential for accessing finance, expanding market reach, developing talent, and sharing technical expertise.
Particular emphasis was placed on international co-productions as a vehicle for strengthening cultural exchange and enabling filmmakers to tell stories that resonate beyond national boundaries. Such partnerships not only unlock funding opportunities but also facilitate knowledge transfer and access to wider distribution networks.
These conversations align closely with Kenya’s aspirations to become a leading film production and content creation hub in Africa.
Another significant area of discussion centered on evolving audience behavior and changing consumption patterns. With audiences now accessing content across multiple platforms and devices, industry leaders stressed the importance of understanding audience preferences while maintaining creative integrity.
The rise of streaming services, digital platforms, creator economies, and direct-to-consumer distribution models has fundamentally altered how content is discovered and consumed. The challenge for creators and industry stakeholders is to adapt to these changes while preserving the artistic and cultural value of storytelling.
Participants agreed that future success will require innovative approaches to audience engagement, content monetization, and global distribution.
One of the most inspiring themes throughout the summit was the growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in storytelling. Industry experts emphasized the need to create space for underrepresented voices and perspectives that reflect the full spectrum of global experiences.
Africa was frequently highlighted as one of the most exciting frontiers for storytelling, with its vast reservoir of untold stories, creative talent, and rapidly growing audiovisual sector. There was strong acknowledgement that African stories have the power to enrich global narratives while contributing significantly to the creative economy.
This recognition reinforces the need for continued investment in talent development, production infrastructure, market access, and international partnerships that enable African creators to compete on the global stage.
For Kenya, the insights gained from the Lumière Summit are both timely and relevant. As we continue to position the country as a premier filming destination and a center for creative excellence, collaboration will remain central to our growth strategy.
The Kenya Film Commission is committed to fostering an enabling environment that supports filmmakers, attracts investment, promotes innovation, facilitates skills development, and expands opportunities for local content creators.
The summit reaffirmed that Kenya’s future in the global screen industry will depend not only on our ability to tell compelling stories but also on our willingness to build meaningful partnerships that connect our creators with international markets and opportunities.
The Lumière Summit offered more than a platform for dialogue, it provided a vision for the future of cinema and the moving image. It reinforced the understanding that storytelling is entering a new era, one defined by collaboration, innovation, inclusivity, and global interconnectedness.
As the industry continues to evolve, the relationships forged and ideas shared during the summit will help shape the future of storytelling for years to come. The challenge before us is to translate these conversations into action by building stronger creative ecosystems, supporting emerging talent, embracing innovation, and creating pathways for stories from every corner of the world to be seen and celebrated.
The future of storytelling is collaborative. It is global. And it is full of possibilities.
Timothy Owase, MBS
Chief Executive Officer
Kenya Film Commission
THE CREATIVE ECONOMY 