Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio known for its captivating tales of magical creatures and enchanting worlds, was honored with an honorary Palme d’Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This marks the first time in 22 years that the award has been given to a studio, rather than an individual filmmaker or actor. Founded in 1985 by animation master Hayao Miyazaki, along with Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli has charmed audiences for nearly four decades with its unique blend of fantasy and environmental themes.
Although Hayao Miyazaki was unable to attend the ceremony in person, he expressed his gratitude in a video message from Japan, stating, “I don’t understand any of this, but thank you.” The festival audience warmly received Ghibli’s representatives, Goro Miyazaki and Kenichi Yoda, with thunderous applause, capturing the moment on video to share with Miyazaki.
The celebration at Cannes featured screenings of four earlier short films created for the Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo. Among them was “Mei and the Baby Cat Bus,” a charming continuation of the beloved classic “My Neighbor Totoro.” The other shorts showcased unique culinary and musical adventures for forest creatures, demonstrating Ghibli’s creativity and storytelling prowess.
The Studio Ghibli tribute comes on the heels of Hayao Miyazaki’s recent success at the Academy Awards, where his film “The Boy and the Heron” won the award for best animated film. The documentary “Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron” also premiered at Cannes, further highlighting Miyazaki’s artistic achievements.
While Miyazaki was absent from both award ceremonies, his son Goro Miyazaki accepted the Cannes prize on his behalf, joking about the portability of the Palme d’Or compared to the Oscar. The recognition of Studio Ghibli’s contributions to cinema serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Japan’s beloved animation studio.
