Book festivals face uncertain futures as funding declines and AI-generated content challenges traditional practices in the reading world.
Sector faces red flags
Geoffroy Pelletier, director of the Sofia, raised concerns about the future of books and reading, noting that many indicators for the sector are showing red, with worries extending into 2027. Upcoming event highlights tensions
As the third States General of book festivals and salons approaches on 3 and 4 November 2026, Pelletier outlines the contradictions within the sector, discusses budgetary decisions related to cultural action, and highlights the decline in reading that could worsen in the coming years. Funding for cultural projects drops
In 2025, the Sofia allocated 4.2 million euros to 347 cultural projects, a decrease of 30% compared to 6 million euros for 409 projects in 2022. These funds include aid to festivals and salons, as well as other actions to support creation, artistic and cultural education, and professional training. Funding depends on private copying
The resources depend solely on private copying remuneration, of which 25% legally finances cultural action, though their evolution remains difficult to predict. Pelletier stated that the uncertainty regarding private copying remuneration explains the reservations about multi-year agreements. Preference for annual funding
The Sofia prefers annual decisions, considering them more equitable when available resources fluctuate. Supports are generally renewed in 95% of cases, except during crisis periods, but reductions can occur if organizers do not make expected efforts, such as remuneration of authors, clarity of programs, or renewal of invited personalities. Decision timelines help planning
Decisions are communicated four to five months before events, allowing teams to prepare budgets. The Sofia is also addressing practices such as the use of AI-generated posters for book festivals, which it finds difficult to defend. Concerns over second-hand books
Larger events also use these images, creating a contradiction for structures based on creation and defense of works. Additionally, the presence of second-hand book stands at the entrance of salons raises concerns, as it may affect the rights of creators and the financial interests of publishers. Post-crisis recovery
Following a budget crisis in 2023-2024, the Sofia suspended accepting new events in its program, but this has since been restored with a cautious selection. The organization supports between five and ten new actions per year, without replacing existing aid. Decline in reading across all groups
The Sofia is also concerned about the evolution of the book market and reading practices, noting a decline affecting all generations and social categories. This concern has become a societal and public health issue, with academics, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists discussing it in France and abroad. Event to focus on key issues
The third edition of the States General aims to better document the role of festivals, focusing on children's festivals, non-fiction, inclusion, and relationships with publishing houses. An intervention by neuropsychologist Sylvie Chokron will address the effects of reading on the brain. New study to be presented
The event will also present the results of a national study conducted by the Direction générale des médias et des industries culturelles in the summer of 2026, extending previous observations made by the Sofia.
