May 13, 2025: Hollywood icon Robert De Niro received a rapturous welcome upon arriving at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where he will be honoured with the prestigious Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement during the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday evening.
In visuals shared by the official Cannes Film Festival Instagram account, De Niro was seen greeting fans, signing autographs, and sharing warm smiles. The post read, “The arrival of the legendary Robert De Niro! Moments of sharing with fans before the big night…”
The honour will be presented by fellow actor and longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio, as reported by Variety. DiCaprio and De Niro’s relationship dates back to their first film together, This Boy’s Life (1993), and they reunited most recently in Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), which was screened at Cannes last year.
De Niro, a two-time Academy Award winner, is celebrated for his iconic roles in films such as The Godfather Part II (1974), Raging Bull (1980), Taxi Driver (1976), and Cape Fear (1991). His most recent Oscar nomination was for Killers of the Flower Moon.
In a heartfelt statement, De Niro expressed his deep connection with Cannes:
“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.”
The festival praised De Niro’s enduring legacy, noting, “With his interiorized style, which surfaces in a gentle smile or a harsh gaze, Robert De Niro has become a cinematic legend.”
The honorary Palme d’Or recognises De Niro’s decades of contribution to global cinema, reaffirming his place among the greatest actors of all time.