Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki, is set to receive the Honorary Palme d’Or at the upcoming 77th Cannes Film Festival. This prestigious award marks the first time that Cannes has bestowed its Honorary Palme d’Or to a collective entity.
Expressing his gratitude, Toshio Suzuki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, stated, “I am truly honored and delighted that the studio is being recognized with the Honorary Palme d’Or. Forty years ago, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and I established Studio Ghibli with the goal of creating top-tier, high-quality animation for audiences of all ages. Today, our films are beloved worldwide, and fans flock to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, and Ghibli Park to immerse themselves in the magic of our creations.”
Suzuki further remarked, “As Studio Ghibli has evolved into a renowned institution, I am confident that the studio will continue to innovate and push boundaries, guided by our dedicated team. I invite you all to anticipate our future endeavors with enthusiasm.”
Founded in 1984 following the success of Miyazaki’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Studio Ghibli began producing its own feature films in 1992 with Porco Rosso. Over the years, the studio has released over twenty iconic films, including classics such as Pom Poko, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbors the Yamadas, The Wind Rises, and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. Studio Ghibli clinched its first Oscar for Best Animated Feature with Spirited Away and repeated the feat last year with The Boy and the Heron.
Commenting on this milestone, Iris Knobloch, President of the Festival de Cannes, remarked, “For the first time in our history, we are celebrating an institution, rather than an individual.”
In addition to Studio Ghibli, legendary filmmaker George Lucas, known for his work on Star Wars, will also receive an Honorary Palme d’Or at the festival’s closing ceremony on May 25. The Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to commence on May 14.
