Korean Cinema Joins Hands with France... Sisterhood Agreement Signed with CNC

Strengthening Cooperation in Co-Production, Education, and Policy
Laying the Foundation for Global Expansion on the 140th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

The Korean Film Council formed a sisterhood agreement with the National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC) of France on the 16th at the Embassy of France in Seoul.

The Korean Film Council signed a sisterhood agreement with the National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC) of France on the 16th at the Embassy of France in Seoul. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in various areas, including co-production, education, and policy exchange.

The CNC began as an organization focused on film promotion, but has since evolved into an institution that encompasses the entire audiovisual industry, including broadcasting and OTT platforms. It has secured funding by expanding the special tax on movie tickets (TSA) to include broadcasting (TST) and OTT/VOD (TSV), and plays a variety of roles such as policy proposals, international cooperation, and revitalization of local culture. This structural transformation is considered an important reference as Korea designs its own mid- to long-term audiovisual industry policies.

Korea and France have already supported co-productions through "KO-PRODUCTION in PARIS" from 2011 to 2017, and since 2023, have operated the "Korea-France Film Academy" to facilitate exchanges among emerging creators. This sisterhood agreement represents the highest level of partnership that the CNC enters into with foreign organizations, and it is the first time such an agreement has been signed with a Korean film promotion institution.

Through regular meetings, the two organizations will pursue phased joint projects, discussing shared agendas such as co-production, distribution, education, copyright, and policy. In particular, they plan to further invigorate exchanges in the film and audiovisual sectors next year, which marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France.

Baek Sangjun, Chairman of the Korean Film Council, stated, "This sisterhood agreement demonstrates that Korean cinema has entered a new stage of international audiovisual policy cooperation," adding, "We will further strengthen the global foundation of the domestic film industry by expanding networks with overseas related organizations and international film festivals in the future."