John Travolta received a surprise Honorary Palme d’Or from Cannes director Thierry Frémaux at the French film festival on Friday ahead of the screening of his directorial debut, “Propeller One-Way Night Coach.”
“My God. This is a humbling moment, humbling moment, so thank you Thierry from the bottom of my heart,” he told the cheering crowd. “When I met with you in November, I had no expectation that my film would be accepted. And when Thierry said that it was making history as the first film ever accepted that early, I cried like a baby. I just couldn’t believe it, because, in my opinion, you are the most discerning person in the movie industry.”
“I was just happy to be here, I never expected this,” Travolta added. “This is beyond the Oscar, really.”
The actor-turned-director joins Peter Jackson and Barbra Streisand in being recognized with the honor at the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival.
Following its world premiere, “Propeller One-Way Night Coach” is set to stream May 29 on Apple TV. Based on Travolta’s 1997 children’s novel of same name, the family adventure film stars Clark Shotwell, Kelly Eviston-Quinnett, Ella Bleu Travolta and Olga Hoffmann, with narration from the man himself.
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival runs May 12-23.
