Studio Ghibli will be awarded an Honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this May.
The studio makes history as the first group to be awarded an Honorary Palme d’Or and will receive the prize alongside George Lucas, with the two joining the likes of Jane Fonda, Forest Whitaker, Tom Cruise, the late Bernardo Bertolucci, Harrison Ford and more. “I am truly honored and delighted that the studio is awarded the Honorary Palme d’Or,” co-founder Toshio Suzuki said in a statement. “I would like to thank the Festival de Cannes from the bottom of my heart. Forty years ago, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and I established Studio Ghibli with the desire to bring high-level, high-quality animation to children and adults of all ages. Today, our films are watched by people all over the world, and many visitors come to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park to experience the world of our films for themselves.”
Suzuki added, “We have truly come a long way for Studio Ghibli to become such a big organization. Although Miyazaki and I have aged considerably, I am sure that Studio Ghibli will continue to take on new challenges, led by the staff who will carry on the spirit of the company. It would be my greatest pleasure if you look forward to what’s next.”
The 77th Cannes Film Festival is set to take place from May 14 to May 25.
