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Denzel Washington Receives Surprise Honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes 2025

The fest's highest honor for an individual was presented to the Oscar winner ahead of the premiere of his latest film, 'Highest 2 Lowest,' which is screening out of competition this year.

Denzel Washington was surprised at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday night with an honorary Palme d’Or, a career achievement acknowledgement that has been presented only 21 previous times. Ahead of an out-of-competition screening of his latest film, Spike Lee ‘s Highest 2 Lowest, fest director Thierry Frémaux surprised the Oscar winner with the honor. Other previous recipients of Cannes’ honorary Palme, which was first presented in 2002, include Catherine Deneuve, Jane Fonda, Clint Eastwood, Agnès Varda, Jodie Foster, Harrison Ford, Michael Douglas and, last year, Meryl Streep and George Lucas.

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