On the evening of 12/5 local time, at the opening ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, director Peter Jackson received the award from Elijah Wood, the actor who played Frodo Baggins in the film series.

Director Peter Jackson receives an honorary Palme d'Or on stage at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival 2026. Photo: AFP

In his acceptance speech, Peter Jackson reflected on his cinematic debut with the film Bad Taste in 1987. He had spent four years making the film on weekends, while working as a photo engraver in New Zealand to support himself. Jackson shared, "If the film hadn't sold well at the film market in Cannes, I probably would have gone back to New Zealand to continue my old job".

Jackson also recounted a pivotal moment at Cannes in 2001, where he premiered the first 20 minutes of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. At the time, the project faced media skepticism, and Warner Bros. was undergoing a transition. Jackson credited the Cannes announcement with helping the film gain attention before its release later that year.

On stage, Elijah Wood praised Peter Jackson for moving beyond the New Zealand film industry to become one of the world's most influential directors. "He showed the world things it had never seen before, helping to build an entirely new filmmaking culture at the 'end of the world'", Wood stated.

Following his speech, Peter Jackson received a warm ovation from the audience. Host Eye Haidara then invited him to remain on stage to enjoy a documentary about The Beatles, which Jackson directed. Afterwards, artists Theodora and Oklou performed the song Get Back, energizing the opening ceremony atmosphere.

Actress Gong Li (left) and Jane Fonda at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival 2026. Photo: AFP

Continuing the ceremony, actresses Jane Fonda and Gong Li appeared to declare the festival open. According to Variety, it was a rare instance for the organizers to invite two co-announcers instead of the usual one. On stage, Gong Li emphasized cinema's ability to transcend language, culture, and generations, connecting people globally. "Cinema transcends language, culture, and generations. It touches what we all share: emotion", she said.

Jane Fonda addressed the current turbulent global social context, suggesting that cinema today serves as a powerful form of expression. She noted that stories on screen help foster empathy for the vulnerable and offer new perspectives on the future. After the ceremony, the event commenced with the global premiere of The Electric Kiss by director Pierre Salvadori, a romantic comedy set in 1920s Paris.

Peter Jackson, 65 years old, is a New Zealand director, producer, and screenwriter. He first drew critical attention with his horror comedies before achieving prominence with Heavenly Creatures (1994), which earned him an Oscar nomination for best screenplay. Subsequently, The Lord of the Rings brought him and New Zealand cinema many significant awards, with The Return of the King (2003) winning 11 Oscars. He also directed King Kong (2005) and produced District 9 (2006).

Trailer for "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003). Video: New Line Cinema

The Cannes Film Festival, one of the world's most prestigious film events, was first held in 1946 in the resort city of Cannes, southern France. This year's program runs from 12 to 23/5, with Korean director Park Chan Wook presiding over the jury. It attracts over 40.000 film professionals and guests from 140 countries and territories.

Cannes 2026 unfolds amidst a challenging backdrop: film studios are cutting expenses, artificial intelligence raises job concerns, and the world faces conflicts, economic instability, and other crises. Unlike previous years featuring stars like Tom Cruise or Harrison Ford, or blockbusters such as Top Gun, Mission: Impossible, or Indiana Jones, this year's festival lacks major upcoming projects from Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg. Consequently, the program relies on the reputation of international art-house directors like Pedro Almodovar, Pawel Pawlikowski, and Cristian Mungiu to capture public interest.

According to Variety, with fewer A-list stars in attendance, the opening ceremony was considered more subdued than in previous years. Notable figures present on the first night included Demi Moore, Chloe Zhao, Stellan Skarsgard, Diego Luna, Heidi Klum, Bong Joon Ho, and Joan Collins. One significant surprise was the appearance of James Franco, an actor accused of sexual harassment in 2021, who was seen surrounded by fans in the Palais lobby.

Cat Tien (according to Variety, Hollywood Reporter)