Peter Jackson to Receive Honorary Palme d'Or at 79th Cannes Film Festival
The 79th Cannes Film Festival, scheduled for May 12-23, 2026, will present an honorary Palme d'Or to New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson. Festival president Iris Knobloch and general delegate Thierry Frémaux praised Jackson's transformative impact on contemporary cinema through his blend of large-scale production, directorial vision, and technological innovation. Jackson's connection to Cannes dates to 1988 when his film 'Bad Taste' appeared at the festival market, and in 2001, Cannes hosted a preview of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.' His 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, released from 2001 to 2003, earned 17 Academy Awards and grossed approximately $3 billion worldwide. Recent honorees include Agnès Varda, Marco Bellocchio, Jodie Foster, Meryl Streep, and Robert De Niro. The official festival selection will be announced on April 9, 2026.
Key facts
- Peter Jackson will receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in 2026.
- The festival runs from May 12 to May 23, 2026, with the official selection announced on April 9, 2026.
- Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy won 17 Academy Awards and grossed around $3 billion globally.
- His first Cannes involvement was in 1988 with 'Bad Taste,' followed by a 2001 preview of 'The Fellowship of the Ring.'
- Recent honorary Palme d'Or recipients include Agnès Varda, Marco Bellocchio, Jodie Foster, Meryl Streep, and Robert De Niro.
Entities
Artists
- Peter Jackson
- Agnès Varda
- Marco Bellocchio
- Jodie Foster
- Meryl Streep
- Robert De Niro
- Baz Luhrmann
- Nanni Moretti
- J.R.R. Tolkien
- Stanley Kubrick
- John Lennon
- Paul McCartney
- George Harrison
- Ringo Starr
Institutions
- Cannes Film Festival
- Wētā FX
Locations
- Cannes
- New Zealand
- Wellington
Sources
- El Hype —