Studio Ghibli First Ever Group Awarded Highest Prize at Cannes

Studio Ghibli will receive the prestigious Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. This is the first time a group has ever been awarded the honor.

The 77 Annual Cannes Film Festival takes place this May. The international event brings filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals together to showcase and celebrate some of the greatest cinematic works.

Each year, the event awards the prestigious Palme d’Or, its highest prize, to recognize outstanding achievement by a director entering the competition. This year, however, a group will instead receive the honor for the first time in the festival’s history.

Cannes Film Festival will award Studio Ghibli, celebrating the studio’s iconic history and beloved films.

Cannes President Iris Knobloch and general delegate Thierry Fremaux commented on the decision to award the group the prize. They explained, “For the first time in our history, it’s not a person but an institution that we have chosen to celebrate. Like all the icons of the Seventh Art, these characters populate our imaginations with prolific, colorful universes and sensitive, engaging narrations.” They further add, “With Ghibli, Japanese animation stands as one of the great adventures of cinephilia, between tradition and modernity.”

Founded in 1984 by Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli have created some of the most successful and breathtaking animated films in cinematic history. They produced titles, such as My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away.

“I am truly honored and delighted that the studio is awarded the Honorary Palme d’Or,” Suzuki stated about the news. “I would like to thank the Festival de Cannes from the bottom of my heart,” he continued. 

The producer reflected on how the studio has grown, sharing, “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.”

He further 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.” The co-founder concluded, “It would be my greatest pleasure if you look forward to what’s next.”

Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 14 to 25, where Studio Ghibli will receive the honor. Readers who wish to view the studio’s incredible works can stream them on Max.