France announces state-backed video game festival, citing Clair Obscur success
Summary
Macron announced a new international video game festival at France's Lumière Summit on September 7, 2026.
No date or venue was confirmed, keeping the initiative a cultural statement rather than a funded program.
France's Ministry of Culture knighted 28 Sandfall Interactive developers before the festival announcement.
"Major French global video game successes remind us of the fruitfulness of this creation, of this creativity, which is also an industry."
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A presidential statement carries no operational detail
Macron on X: "As video games are part of our culture, we are going to create an international video game festival." - Emmanuel Macron, President of France
He called it a "global event of creation, innovation, players, and the industry." - Emmanuel Macron, President of France
The venue sits video games inside France's existing film and TV policy circle.
Neither date nor location has been set.
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One breakout title, not the sector, triggered the policy
Macron named Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as the direct trigger for the festival.
The title won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025.
France's studio base spans Ubisoft, BlueTwelve, Asobo, Quantic Dream, Dontnod, and Arkane.
The government moved to formal recognition before committing to any funded event.
Events
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Games
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Europe
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