American filmmaker George Lucas, best known for creating the ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ franchises will soon be honoured. The four-time Academy awards nominee will receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival next month.
Cannes Film Festival organizers made the announcement that Lucas will be honoured at the closing ceremony to the 77th French film festival on May 25. The celebrated filmmaker and philanthropist will join a short list of those to receive honorary Palmes.
Reacting to the news, Lucas said, “The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, ‘THX-1138,’ was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honored by this special recognition which means a great deal to me.”
Last year, Harrison Ford, a regular leading man for Lucas in ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ was awarded one. Other recent recipients include Michael Douglas, Tom Cruise, Forest Whitaker and Jodie Foster.
Lucas is one of the most financially successful filmmakers in the history of cinema. He has directed or conceived ten of the 100 highest grossing films in the US. He has been nominated four times for Oscars. He announced retirement in 2012 after selling Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company.
The Cannes Film Festival will be held between May 14-25. The closing ceremony, during which the festival’s top prize, the Palme d’Or, will be awarded to one of the films in competition, will be broadcast in France on France Télévisions and streamed on Brut.
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