Cannes 2026: John Travolta surprised with honorary Palme d’Or at the festival

Hollywood actor-filmmaker John Travolta was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of his directorial debut Friday (May 15, 2026).

Thierry Fremaux, the festival’s artistic director, brought out the award for Travolta just before the screening of his directorial, Propeller One-Way Night Coach. A visibly moved Travolta clutched his chest while Frémaux presented the trophy.

“You said this would be a special night, but I didn’t know it would mean this,” Travolta said to Frémaux.

“This is beyond the Oscar!” exclaimed Travolta.

Clad in a white beret, Travolta walked the Cannes red carpet with his 26-year-old daughter Ella Bleu Travolta. The actor wrote, directed and co-produced Propeller One-Way Night Coach, based on his own 1997 children’s novel.

Cannes has sometimes previously surprised guests with an honorary Palme d’Or. It unexpectedly gave one to Tom Cruise in 2022. At this year’s festival, the Lord of the Rings filmmaker Peter Jackson was given one in the opening ceremony. Barbara Streisand is to receive one later during the festival.