Upcoming Trade Shows in France for Film & Media

France’s film and media industry has adapted quite well to a volatile and challenging landscape following three detrimental years. Recovery has been quick and steady post-pandemic and the sector is now confronted with a slower start to 2024 at the box office. However, industry players remain determined to turn French films into major cultural events through fresh strategies and enhanced cinematic experiences. The French film industry showcased a promising recovery in 2023 with audiences returning to cinemas in significant numbers. The box office witnessed an uptick, totaling 181 million ticket sales, representing an 18.9% increase from the previous year. Notably, this performance outpaced several other European territories. French cinema played a big role in boosting box office figures, especially in the absence of major Hollywood releases. With a strategic focus on local productions, France relied less on American titles, contributing to the sector’s stability. The performance of French films like Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom and Alibi.com 2 testified to the cultural pull of French productions nationwide and internationally. Despite the momentum gained in 2023, the French box office faced a sluggish start in 2024 with a notable decline during the first 10 weeks of the year. Factors contributing to this decline include the absence of blockbuster releases following the writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023 and a lack of dominant French titles to drive audience engagement. The industry also felt the absence of a cinematic phenomenon akin to Avatar: The Way of Water, which drove significant ticket sales in January 2023. In addition to traditional box office metrics, the influence of SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) platforms on the French film industry is becoming increasingly significant. French films are gaining visibility on international SVOD platforms. This trend underscores the global appeal and relevance of French cinema beyond traditional theatrical releases.