Veteran actor and filmmaker Robert De Niro will be honoured with the prestigious Honorary Palme d'Or at the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival this May. The ceremony is set to take place on May 13, exactly 14 years after De Niro served as President of the Cannes jury in 2011. This special recognition reflects his exceptional contributions to cinema over the decades.
The announcement was made by festival organisers, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. De Niro’s relationship with the Cannes Film Festival spans decades, with his first appearance at the event in 1976, when he attended with two films: Bernardo Bertolucci's 1900 and Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver. He won the prestigious Palme d'Or, marking the beginning of a long and storied association between De Niro and Cannes.
Over the years, his involvement continued with notable films such as The King of Comedy (1983), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), and The Mission (1986), the latter of which earned him a second Palme d'Or. De Niro’s most recent appearance at Cannes was in 2023 for Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, further solidifying his enduring connection with the iconic festival. Reflecting on this long-standing bond, De Niro described Cannes as "a homecoming" and praised the festival for its ability to unite filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences.
Also Read: Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces additional charges in ongoing sex trafficking investigation In addition to receiving the Honorary Palme d'Or, De Niro will hold a masterclass for festival attendees on May 14 at the Debussy Theatre, offering insights into his remarkable career. The 78th Cannes Film Festival will run from May 13 to 24, 2025. On the work front, De Niro was most recently seen in Zero Day, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
His continued success and influence in the film industry make this recognition at Cannes a fitting tribute to his outstanding legacy..