Robert De Niro, a towering figure in cinema, will receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2025. This award recognizes his remarkable career and enduring connection to the prestigious French festival. The honorary Palme d'Or is a lifetime achievement award. De Niro's relationship with Cannes spans five decades.
De Niro expressed his gratitude and affection for the festival, stating, "I have such close feelings for Festival de Cannes...Especially now when there's so much in the world pulling us apart, Cannes brings us together – storytellers, filmmakers, fans, and friends. It's like coming home".
His history with Cannes began in 1976, when he starred in two films that premiered in competition: Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver" and Bernardo Bertolucci's "1900". "Taxi Driver" was a sensation and won the Palme d'Or that year. De Niro also starred in Roland Joffé's "The Mission," which won the Palme d'Or in 1986, making him one of the rare actors to star in two Palme d'Or-winning films.
De Niro has been a regular at Cannes, returning with films such as "The King of Comedy" (1983) and "Once Upon a Time in America" (1984). In 2011, he served as the President of the Jury, which awarded the Palme d'Or to Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life". Most recently, he premiered "Killers of the Flower Moon" at the festival in 2023, reuniting with Martin Scorsese.
Beyond his acting achievements, De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. On May 14, the day after receiving his honorary Palme d'Or, De Niro will hold a masterclass on the Debussy Theatre stage.
The honorary Palme d'Or is a recognition given to those whose careers have significantly impacted cinema. Past recipients include Agnès Varda, Clint Eastwood and Jane Fonda. The award highlights De Niro's global cinematic influence. The presentation of the honorary Palme d'Or to Robert De Niro promises to be a highlight of the 78th Festival de Cannes, celebrating a legendary actor and his indelible mark on the world of film.
