Cannes 2025: Robert De Niro Receives Honorary Palme d’Or From Leonardo DiCaprio

The much-awaited 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday, May 13, with veteran actor, director and producer, Robert De Niro receiving the honorary Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement.

Niro, 81, was joined on stage by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, who presented the Palme d’Or to his Killers of the Flower Moon co-star.

On Niro's arrival, the crowd rose and gave him a thunderous standing ovation.

“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted. That affects all of us here, because art is the crucible that brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity. That라이브 바카라 why art is a threat. That라이브 바카라 why we are a threat to autocrats and Fascists,” Robert De Niro said to the Cannes crowd inside the Grand Lumiére theater, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

“America라이브 바카라 Philistine president have had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions [the Kennedy Center]. He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education. And now he has announced a 100 percent tariff on films produced outside the U.S. Let that sink in,” De Niro said in his powerful Cannes speech.

He also said that people should take action “without violence, but with great passion and determination.”

“It라이브 바카라 time for everyone who cares about liberty to organize, to protest, and when there are elections, vote. Vote. Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité." Niro concluded his speech.

Earlier, in a statement, he shared, "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," he added.

Robert De Niro's relationship with Cannes dates back to his first film. In 1976, he participated in two films which were the festival's official selection: Bernardo Bertolucci's 1900 and Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver, which received the Palme d'Or. In 1983, he took part in the festival with Scorsese's The King of Comedy, and a year later for Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America.

Niro also served as President of the Cannes jury in 2011. He marked his presence at Cannes 2023, for Killers of the Flower Moon.

The two-time Academy Award winner is known for his iconic roles in films including The Godfather Part II (1974), Raging Bull (1980), Taxi Driver (1976), and Cape Fear (1991) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).