Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, originally founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, has become the first group ever to receive an honorary Palme d’Or in the history of the Cannes Film Festival.
Miyazaki’s son Gorō and Ghibli director Kenichi Yoda attended the festival to accept the prestigious award on Monday.
“The magical world of Studio Ghibli on the Cannes Steps ✨ Le monde magique du Studio Ghibli sur les Marches de Cannes,” the festival organisers wrote alongside pictures of Gorō and Yoda.
Miyazaki, who recently retired from filmmaking with his Oscar-winning film The Boy and the Heron, was unable to travel to the festival but expressed his gratitude via a video.
In his opening speech, Cannes directorThierry Frémaux said, “For the very first time, Iris Knobloch and I decided to award the honorary Palme d’or to a studio, rather than a single creative. And what a studio! Represented by Gorō Miyazaki, I give you Studio Ghibli.”
“When we won the Oscar for The Boy and the Heron, the Ghibli representatives came home with a statue, but it wasn’t in a box, they had to wrap it in a hotel towel to transport it back. So I’m very glad to see this Palme is nicely packaged,” joked Gorō, who has directed Ghibli films like From Up on Poppy Hill and Tales from Earthsea, while accepting the award.
On his part, Yoda said the award belonged to their team and audience. “Ghibli was launched 40 years ago by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Tokuma Shoten. They may be the studio’s biggest contributors, but I want to extend this award to all the hard-working teams,” he added.
Gorō also treated the audience to four Hayao Miyazaki shorts, three of which had never been screened outside of Japan.
Founded in 1985, Studio Ghibli has produced celebrated animated films like My Neighbour Totoro, Whisper of the Heart, Howl’s Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. It received an Oscar in 2001 for Spirited Away and this year for The Boy and the Heron.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival began on May 14 and will conclude on May 25.
