Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli is set to receive the prestigious Honorary Palme d’Or at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.
Marking a first in the award’s history, Studio Ghibli will be the first recipient to be recognized by group with the award instead of an individual director or actor.
“For the first time in our history, it’s not a person but an institution that we have chosen to celebrate. Like all the icons of the Seventh Art, these characters populate our imaginations with prolific, colorful universes and sensitive, engaging narrations,” Cannes president Iris Knobloch and general delegate Thierry Fremaux said in a statement.
“With Ghibli, Japanese animation stands as one of the great adventures of cinephilia, between tradition and modernity,” the statement added.
On the other hand, the Studio Ghibli expressed it’s gratitude and honor to receive the prestigious award.
“I am truly honored and delighted that the studio is awarded the Honorary Palme d’Or,” Suzuki said in a statement. I would like to thank the Festival de Cannes from the bottom of my heart,” said Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki in a statement.
Co-founded by the visionary Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, and the late Isao Takahata, the animation house has been redefining the landscape of animation with its long list of filmography through the years. Its films transcend age and cultural barriers, weaving tales that resonate with profound themes of environmentalism, self-discovery, love, and the enduring power of hope.
“Forty years ago, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and I established Studio Ghibli with the desire to bring high-level, high-quality animation to children and adults of all ages. Today, our films are watched by people all over the world, and many visitors come to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park to experience the world of our films for themselves,” he continued.
“We have truly come a long way for Studio Ghibli to become such a big organization. Although Miyazaki and I have aged considerably, I am sure that Studio Ghibli will continue to take on new challenges, led by the staff who will carry on the spirit of the company. It would be my greatest pleasure if you look forward to what’s next,” Suzuki added.
Studio Ghibli is widely recognized for its award-winning titles including “Spirited Away”, “Princess Mononoke”, “Howl’s Moving Castle”, “The Whisper of the Heart”, and its latest creation, the Oscar-winning animated feature “The Boy and the Heron”. The Cannes Film Festival will run from May 14 until May 25.
