Story perspectives

Barbra Streisand skips Cannes ceremony, forfeits honorary Palme

5/19/2026

Summary

Streisand Skips Cannes

Barbra Streisand will miss the Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony on May 23, 2026 and will not accept her honorary Palme d’Or because of a knee injury.
She announced on May 17 that doctors advised against travel.
Festival chief Thierry Frémaux and executive Iris Knobloch sent her wishes for a speedy recovery.
She will share the honorary Palme d’Or with John Travolta and Peter Jackson as the third recipient.

Summary

Travolta Receives Palme

John Travolta said the honorary Palme d’Or was beyond the Oscar, became emotional, and received it after the Cannes premiere of his debut Propeller One-Way Night Coach.
Peter Jackson received his honorary Palme d’Or from Elijah Wood during the opening ceremony, recalling his 2001 Cannes teaser.
Barbra Streisand performed a tribute to the late Robert Redford at the 98th Academy Awards in April, singing The Way We Were.

Summary

Streisand Honored

Cannes awarded Streisand an honorary Palme d’Or, the first such honor at the festival.
Iris Knobloch, Cannes President, said the tribute honors Streisand’s uncompromising pursuit of freedom.
Eye Haïdara will host the closing ceremony at the Grand Théâtre Lumière on May 23 2026.
France Télévisions will air a pre-recorded segment for Streisand’s absent award, highlighting the festival’s need for flexible programming.

History

Historical Context

In 2002, the Cannes Film Festival introduced the Honorary Palme d’Or, awarding its first recipient, director Steven Spielberg, during the 55th edition. Festival chief Thierry Frémaux later oversaw 24 honorary laureates by 2022, while executive Iris Knobloch coordinated televised segments for absent honorees. Barbra Streisand’s 2026 knee-related absence mirrors Spielberg’s 2002 health-related postponement, as both missed live receipt of the same honorary accolade. These precedents underscore Cannes’ reliance on pre-recorded tributes, ensuring the festival honors cinematic legends despite unforeseen personal setbacks.

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Streisand Skips Cannes

Barbra Streisand will miss the Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony on May 23, 2026 and will not accept her honorary Palme d’Or because of a knee injury.
She announced on May 17 that doctors advised against travel.
Festival chief Thierry Frémaux and executive Iris Knobloch sent her wishes for a speedy recovery.
She will share the honorary Palme d’Or with John Travolta and Peter Jackson as the third recipient.

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