Forest Whitaker Receives Honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes

American actor Forest Whitaker received an honorary Palme d'Or at the opening ceremony of the 75th Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.

The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the two-week annual event and was introduced in 1955 by the festival's organizing committee. The award replaced the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film as the highest prize, which was in place from 1939 to 1954.

However, the Palme d'Or was replaced again by the Grand Prix, before reintroduced in 1975.

At the ceremony, the festival played footage from some of his movies such as“Bird,” “Ghost Dog,” “The Color of Money,” and “Panic Room”.

The actor had also received a standing ovation.

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“It’s always a privilege to return to this beautiful festival to both screen my own work, and to be inspired by many of the world’s greatest artists — and I feel incredibly honored to be celebrated as part of the festival’s momentous 75th anniversary.” Whitaker said in a statement.