Cannes Opens with Peter Jackson Honor, Hollywood Stars
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- Cannes Film Festival opened its 79th edition on Tuesday night with an honorary Palme d’Or ceremony for Peter Jackson.
- Peter Jackson accepted the honorary Palme d’Or and walked the carpet alongside Elijah Wood.
- Jane Fonda arrived in a shimmering black dress, adding Hollywood glamour to the opening ceremony.
- James Franco and Jordan Firstman attended, with Firstman's film “Club Kid” slated for screening at the festival.
- Thierry Fremaux celebrated his 25th year as Cannes director, overseeing a lineup that omits major studio blockbusters and highlights international auteurs such as Pedro Almodóvar, Paweł Pawlikowski, and Cristian Mungiu.
Why it matters: Independent filmmakers gain a high‑profile platform as studios pull back from costly festival premieres; Cannes’ 25th edition under Fremaux preserves its global relevance, boosting tourism and non‑studio funding.
