Japanese animation Studio Ghibli will be awarded an Honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival). The Honorary Palme d’Or is a non-competitive award, usually given to individuals who have made remarkable contributions to cinematography. This marks the first time that an organization is given such recognition. The 77th Cannes Film Festival will run from May 14 to 25, 2024.
Toshio Suzuki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has thanked the Festival for said honor. He stated that Studio Ghibli will continue to take on new challenges, with its staff carrying on the spirit of the company.
I am truly honored and delighted that the studio is awarded the Honorary Palme d’or. I would like to thank the Festival de Cannes from the bottom of my heart. 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. 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.
Statement from Toshio Suzuki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli
Iris Knobloch, the President of the Festival de Cannes, and Thierry Frémaux, the General Delegate, also commented on how Studio Ghibli has inspired cinematography. Their contribution to Japanese animation stands as one of the great adventures in cinephilia.
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. With Ghibli, Japanese animation stands as one of the great adventures of cinephilia, between tradition and modernity.
Iris Knobloch, President of the Festival de Cannes, and Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate
Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival) was one of the first film festivals that globally recognized the art of animated films, albeit only starting with submissions from Walt Disney. It is worth noting that Cannes also celebrated the fact that Ghibli’s films have been a success not just in Europe, but also in North America.
In Europe as in the United States, these films are among the animators’ most acclaimed work, between art for art and the commercial challenges of the industry. They are true models, as much for the quality of their writing, directing and animation as for their commitment to extensive aesthetic aspirations.
Excerpt from Cannes Festival Article
In recent news, Studio Ghibli co-founder and director Hayao Miyazaki was named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of 2024.” He received a write-up of praise from well-known Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Blade, Hellboy, Pinocchio, Shape of Water) that described how Miyazaki’s works evoke the feeling of recognizing beauty only portrayed in films.
Source: Cannes Festival Official Press Release, Cannes Festival X (Formerly Twitter)
© Hayao Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli