Denzel Washington received a surprise Honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, May 19, 2025, celebrating his remarkable career. The award was presented by Spike Lee, during the premiere of their new film, Highest 2 Lowest.
Highest 2 Lowest, a neo-noir crime thriller directed by Spike Lee, premiered out of competition at the festival. The film, starring Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky, and Ice Spice, is a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's High and Low. It is scheduled for theatrical release on August 22, 2025, and will be available on Apple TV+ on September 5, 2025.
The honorary Palme d'Or underscores Washington's significant contribution to cinema. Cannes president Iris Knobloch highlighted Washington's impact on modern cinema during the presentation. Washington, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude for the honor and his collaboration with Spike Lee.