Peter Jackson Honoured, Demi Moore on AI: Inside Cannes Opening Day
Peter Jackson received an honorary Palme d'Or as Cannes opened with fewer American studio films and a thinner Hollywood turnout.
- The 79th Cannes Film Festival opened on Tuesday with an honorary Palme d'Or for director Peter Jackson, though the event is notably missing major Hollywood studio films and stars this year.
- Economic uncertainty and studio restructuring prompted Hollywood's retreat, with artistic director Thierry Fremaux saying the industry is 'reshaping' amid Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Jury president Park Chan-wook and member Demi Moore addressed geopolitical tensions and AI threats, with Park arguing that political messages in art should not be considered an 'enemy of cinema'.
- Despite the absence of major blockbusters, actor Jane Fonda and Chinese star Gong Li officially opened the festivities, with Fonda declaring that 'Cinema has always been an act of resistance'.
- Over the next two weeks, appearances by actor Kristen Stewart and Barbra Streisand are scheduled, as the global film industry navigates evolving creative and economic challenges amid industry transformation.
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30 Articles
The New Zealand film director, who entered the cinema legend by wearing on the screen 25 years ago novels by J. R. R. Tolkien considered unadaptable, was celebrated by the Cannes Film Festival. During the time of a master class, he captured memories and anecdoteTwenty-six minutes to enter the cinema legend. In 2001, when he landed at the Cannes Film Festival, Peter Jackson did not have any films in competition to defend. After attending the Film…
With slightly electrifying words, French actress Eye Haïdara welcomed guests to the opening ceremony of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival on Tuesday evening on the stage of the Grand Theatre Lumiere in the seaside resort of Cannes.
The opening night photos, with Peter Jackson, Elijah Wood, Demi Moore, Jane Fonda and Heidi Klum
Idaho Press
Peter Jackson receives honorary Palme D’Or as Cannes flaunts star power despite Hollywood's retreat
The 79th Cannes Film Festival is underway with politics, artificial intelligence and the shifting priorities of Hollywood taking center stage at the global film gathering. The festival paid tribute to Peter Jackson in the opening ceremony, giving the “Lord of…
Peter Jackson, who received the Honorary Palme d'Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, said, "The success of The Lord of the Rings was thanks to Cannes." He gave a humble acceptance speech, stating, "I am not the Palme d'Or type." Elijah Wood, who presented the award, said, "My life has changed since Frodo. I am trying to understand why I am receiving the Palme d'Or. I am not the Palme d'Or type."
Peter Jackson honoured, Demi Moore on AI: inside Cannes opening day
The 79th Cannes Film Festival is officially underway, and France 24 is live from the Croisette for its very first Cannes 2026 special. Join Culture Editor Eve Jackson and Film Critic Emma Jones as they break down the biggest moments from opening night: the honorary Palme d’Or presented to Peter Jackson, the arrival of Hollywood stars on the red carpet, and the films already creating buzz on the Croisette.
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