Cannes 2025: 'Taxi Driver' actor Robert De Niro honoured with Palme d’Or, standing ovation

 

Two-time Oscar winning actor, director and film producer Robert De Niro was honoured with a standing ovation while receiving the esteemed Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival 2025. The Palme d’Or, awarded to the director of the best feature film, is the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Known for his iconic roles in films like Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Raging Bull and Killers of the Flower Moon, De Niro has contributed immensely to the Hollywood film industry,

 

De Niro is the recipient of two Academy awards, one for the Best Supporting Actor for his role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II and Best Actor for his role in Raging Bull where he played the character of Jake LaMotta. He was Oscar-nominated for Taxi Driver (1976), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), Awakenings (1990), Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), The Deer Hunter (1978) and Cape Fear (1991).

 

“Merci beaucoup, Festival de Cannes for creating a community, a home if you will for those of us who love the art of telling stories on screen”, said De Niro in his speech. Leonardo Di Caprio who starred alongside De Niro in Killers of the Flower Moon, presented him the award.

 

At the ceremony De Niro also highlighted the importance of creative freedom and democracy and used the global platform to critique US President Donald Trump for his latest policies on arts funding and international film taxation. “Art is inclusive. It brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity and that’s why art is a threat. That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists”, added De Niro.

 

De Niro was joined at the event by Tiffany Chen, for the screening of Partir Un Jour (Leave One Day), and their presence at the film festival drew a lot of attention.

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