The Screen Guild Congratulates Sir Peter Jackson - Honoured with Honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes
The Screen Industry Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand warmly congratulates Sir Peter Jackson on receiving an Honorary Palme d’Or at the 79th Festival de Cannes.
Sir Peter was honoured during the festival’s opening ceremony on Tuesday 12 May 2026, receiving one of cinema’s highest accolades in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to film.
For the Screen Guild, this moment is a proud one for Aotearoa’s screen sector. Sir Peter’s work has helped open doors for New Zealand stories, New Zealand crews, and New Zealand screen capability on the world stage.
For crew across the motu, the honour is also a reminder of the scale, skill, and ingenuity that New Zealand screen workers have brought to some of the most ambitious screen projects ever made. It speaks to what can be achieved here when bold creative vision is matched with world-class craft.
The award was presented by The Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood, marking a full-circle moment for a filmmaker whose work has had a profound impact on global cinema, and on the screen industry here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Reuters reported that Jackson reflected on the scale of the trilogy during the ceremony, describing the decision to shoot all three Lord of the Rings films together as “a huge gamble.”
The Festival de Cannes first announced the honour in March, recognising Jackson’s body of work across early New Zealand features, major studio filmmaking, and documentary innovation. Cannes President Iris Knobloch described him as “a filmmaker of boundless creativity,” while Festival Director Thierry Frémaux said there was “clearly a before and an after Peter Jackson.”
For the New Zealand screen industry, the recognition carries particular weight. Jackson’s career began with local genre filmmaking, including Bad Taste and Braindead, before Heavenly Creatures brought his work to wider international attention. With The Lord of the Rings trilogy, New Zealand became the base for one of the most ambitious screen productions ever mounted.
Shot in New Zealand and supported by an enormous local and international crew, the trilogy helped transform global perceptions of what could be made here. It also contributed to the growth of Wellington-based screen infrastructure, visual effects, post-production and filmmaking technology, helping build an internationally recognised production ecosystem in Aotearoa.
The New Zealand Film Commission welcomed the Cannes honour, saying it recognised not only Jackson’s creative career, but “a body of work that has reshaped global cinema and created an enduring legacy for New Zealand.” NZFC also noted his ongoing role in supporting the next generation of New Zealand storytellers through facilities, expertise and practical support connected to Park Road Post and Wētā FX.
