Lyon's Classic Film Market Sees Growth

Lyon's International Classic Film Market Returns

The International Classic Film Market (MIFC) is returning to Lyon alongside the Lumière Film Festival for its 13th year. The event, which is dedicated to restoring and promoting heritage films, anticipates a record number of attendees. According to co-head Anaïs Desrieux, indicators are up in terms of both new and international participants.

The global reach of the festival is highlighted by guests of honor Andrea Kalas from Iron Mountain, Justine Ryst, YouTube’s France chief, and Gaëtan Bruel, head of France’s film board CNC.

Park Circus, a U.K.-based company that handles global distribution of heritage titles for major U.S. studios and British and European libraries, is joining as an official partner this year. CEO Douglas Davis will participate in a discussion with Studiocanal’s Pauline Saint-Hilaire and Mk2 Films’ Benoit Claro about building international distribution strategies for heritage film.

AI and Technology in Film Preservation

Technology, especially the use of AI in classic film preservation and restoration with a focus on subtitling and dubbing, is a key topic. Vectracom, Phont, and translator representatives will participate in the discussion. Desrieux noted that while everyone is open to progress, the challenge lies in ensuring that this innovation benefits the entire ecosystem. Gérald Duchaussoy added that subtitling is a creative process that influences how films are understood, and therefore not neutral.

New tools will be showcased at the Classics Innovation Corner, where startups like Phont, Refractio, and CN Films will present their technology.

Streaming and Heritage Cinema

The increasing role of streaming services in distributing heritage cinema is another key theme. Ryst will discuss YouTube’s 20th anniversary, highlighting the platform's heritage offerings, including films, archives, programs, and content creators engaging new audiences, according to Duchaussoy. Case studies will include Sooner, LaCinetek, and Allociné, which is launching Allociné Classique.

Desrieux noted that these platforms ensure films are not only preserved but also reintroduced to audiences in the digital age.

Additional Highlights

Circulation remains a priority, demonstrated by initiatives like the Re>Birth program. The showcase presents restored titles or works seeking restoration partners, featuring short pitches followed by meetings to encourage deals. Hungary is the country of honor, recognized for its preservation and circulation efforts through events like the Budapest Classic Film Marathon. György Ráduly, head of the Hungarian National Film Archive, will be among the guests.

Other highlights include discussions on the AgoraEU program, Europe’s audiovisual heritage policy, and curated retrospectives. Tributes to Martin Ritt and Konrad Wolf will illustrate how restorations provide a second life for films in theaters, festivals, on TV, and platforms. France’s AFCAE will examine the future of classic film on the big screen.

The market will also feature previews from catalogue holders, distributor line-ups, and events for exhibitors. African cinema will be showcased with the podcast series “Cineastes d’Afrique.”

A European student workshop will connect students from universities with professionals in the heritage field. Duchaussoy believes the workshop highlights the market’s broader mission, which is to imagine the future with new professionals, technologies, and audiences.

Desrieux summarized that the goal is to strengthen the heritage sector’s international framework and profile by uniting players, questioning practices, and creating business opportunities related to classic film circulation.

The MIFC takes place in Lyon from October 14–October 17.