Barbra Streisand is set to receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, in recognition of her significant impact on music, cinema, and popular culture over several decades.
The prestigious award will be bestowed on May 23 during the closing ceremony of the festival’s 79th edition, marking Streisand’s first appearance at Cannes. Festival organizers lauded the singer and actress for her enduring influence on the global entertainment industry.
Described as a trailblazer in the entertainment world, Streisand has been commended for her philanthropic endeavors, including her support for gender equality, minority rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, environmental causes, medical research, and arts education for underprivileged children.
Expressing gratitude for the honor, Streisand stated, “I am proud and deeply honored to be recognized alongside previous Honorary Palme d’Or recipients who have inspired me throughout my career.” She also highlighted the power of cinema to unite people and promote empathy in today’s challenging times.
Notable past recipients of the honorary Palme d’Or include Peter Jackson, Agnès Varda, Marco Bellocchio, Jodie Foster, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, and Tom Cruise.
The upcoming 79th Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to run from May 12 to May 23. Streisand’s illustrious career spans over six decades, with notable achievements including winning a Grammy Award for Album of the Year with her debut studio album in 1963 and becoming the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song as a composer in 1976. Additionally, her work on “Yentl” in 1983 made her the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major studio film, which garnered accolades such as an Oscar for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical.
At 83 years old, Streisand is celebrated for her performances in iconic films like “The Way We Were” (1973), “The Mirror Has Two Faces” (1996), “Meet the Fockers” (2004), and “Little Fockers” (2010).
