Studio Ghibli Receives Historic Honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival

The legendary Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, which was first established by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, has won an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, making it the first group in the festival's history.

Gorō, the son of director Shinji Miyazaki, and director Kenichi Yoda of Ghibli attended the event on Monday to claim the coveted prize.

The magical world of Studio Ghibli on the Cannes Steps ✨ Le monde magique du Studio Ghibli sur les Marches de Cannes

???? Gorō Miyazaki, Kenichi Yoda#Cannes2024 #PalmeDOr pic.twitter.com/cdket3hK2q — Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 20, 2024

"The enchanting Studio Ghibli universe on the Cannes Steps ✨ Alongside images of Yoda and Gorō, the festival organizers wrote, "Le monde magique du Studio Ghibli sur les Marches de Cannes."

Despite being unable to attend the festival, Miyazaki, who recently announced his retirement from filmmaking with his Oscar-winning picture The Boy and the Heron, thanked everyone via a video.

"Iris Knobloch and I decided to award the honorary Palme d'Or to a studio, rather than a single creative," stated Cannes director Thierry Frémaux in his opening statement. What a fantastic studio! I present to you Studio Ghibli, on behalf of Gorō Miyazaki.

"The Ghibli reps had to wrap the trophy in a hotel towel to carry it back home after we won the Oscar for The Boy and the Heron because it wasn't in a box. Upon receiving the prize, Gorō, who has directed Ghibli movies such as Tales from Earthsea and From Up on Poppy Hill, chuckled, "I'm very glad to see this Palme is nicely packaged."

Yoda remarked that their team and the audience should have won the prize. Tokuma Shoten, Isao Takahata, and Hayao Miyazaki introduced Ghibli forty years ago. Even though they might be the studio's largest contributors, he continued, "I want to give this award to all the hardworking teams."

In addition, Gorō showed four Hayao Miyazaki shorts to the audience, three of which had never been shown outside of Japan.

Since its founding in 1985, Studio Ghibli has created several well-known animated films, including Princess Mononoke, Whisper of the Heart, Howl's Moving Castle, and My Neighbor Totoro. Spirited Away in 2001 and The Boy and the Heron this year both brought home Oscars.

May 14 marked the start of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which will end on May 25.

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