Robert De Niro will be given the Palme d’Or Honorary Award at the opening night of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This well-known honour is being given to De Niro for his very important contributions to cinema and the lasting effect he has had on the film industry. De Niro will receive the award from his longtime friend and frequent co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio.
The connection between the two acting legends spans decades, with memorable collaborations in several acclaimed projects. Among the most notable are the 1993 film This Boy’s Life and the 2023 epic Killers of the Flower Moon. Both films showcased the intense performances and deep emotional range that have defined their careers. Particularly, Killers of the Flower Moon received critical acclaim when it premiered at Cannes, earning praise for both its storytelling and its cast.
Leonardo DiCaprio is no stranger to the Cannes stage, having served as jury president in 2011. His return to the festival with Killers of the Flower Moon marked another milestone in his career. The Cannes Honorary Award has previously been presented to cinematic legends such as Meryl Streep and Jodie Foster, underlining its significance in the global film community.
This year, French actress Juliette Binoche will serve as the festival’s jury president, becoming only the second woman in history to hold this prestigious role. The honorary award ceremony for De Niro is expected to be a highlight of the festival, celebrating not only a towering figure in film but also the enduring friendship and artistic partnership between De Niro and DiCaprio.
