Veteran Hollywood filmmaker George Lucas will receive the prestigious Honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th Festival de Cannes this year, the organisers announced on Tuesday.

The Star Wars and Indiana Jones creator will be bestowed with the honour on May 25, the last day of the festival. The 77th Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 14 to 25 this year.

“The Festival de Cannes is delighted to pay tribute to one of the greatest figures of contemporary cinema, a man with an extraordinary career, who brings together great entertainment and innovation, mythology and modernity and cinephilia and technology,” the festival authorities said in a statement posted on their website.

Expressing his joy at the news, the veteran Hollywood filmmaker said, ““The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, THX-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honoured by this special recognition which means a great deal to me.”

Lucas, a four-time Academy Award nominee, embarked on his cinematic journey with films like THX 1138 and American Graffiti. However, it was the monumental success of Star Wars that solidified his status as a cultural icon. Beyond filmmaking, Lucas is also involved in philanthropy through endeavours like the George Lucas Educational Foundation.