Cannes 2025: The 78th edition of the world-famous Cannes Film Festival has officially begun, with the opening ceremony taking place on Tuesday night, according to Nepali time.
During the ceremony, Hollywood legend Robert De Niro was awarded the prestigious honorary Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) for his exceptional contributions to cinema. The award was presented to him by actor Leonardo DiCaprio. This honor comes five decades after De Niro’s film Taxi Driver won the top award at Cannes.
While accepting the Palme d’Or, De Niro made headlines by calling former U.S. President Donald Trump a “foolish president,” making his speech a highlight of the evening.
Another major attraction of the opening night was the presence of the cast from the French musical comedy film Partir en Juin, which graced the red carpet.
De Niro’s moment on stage was marked by a large group of actors, including previous Palme d’Or winners Quentin Tarantino, Sean Baker, and well-known stars like Eva Longoria, Julia Garner, Heidi Klum, and Alessandra Ambrosio, who stood together in front of photographers.
However, one notable absence was actor Tom Cruise, who is in Cannes for the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Although Cruise wasn’t seen at the opening ceremony, he is expected to attend the world premiere of the film on Wednesday.
Robert De Niro – Awarded the honorary Palme d’Or.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Presented the Palme d’Or to De Niro.
Heidi Klum – Supermodel.
Alessandra Ambrosio – Supermodel.
Eva Longoria – Actress and model.
