Barbra Streisand misses Palme ceremony

Barbra Streisand said she will not travel to Cannes to accept an honorary Palme d’Or in person after a knee injury forced her to withdraw from the festival’s closing ceremony. The singer, actor and filmmaker announced the change in a statement carried by festival organizers on Sunday, May 17. (abcnews.com) Cannes said it would proceed with the tribute despite her absence. The 79th Festival de Cannes runs from May 12 to May 23, according to the festival’s official program. ### What exactly did Streisand say? Barbra Streisand said the decision followed medical advice as she continued recovering from a knee injury. “On the advice of my doctors, as I continue recovering from a knee injury, I am sadly unable to attend the Festival de Cannes this year,” she said in the statement. (festival-cannes.com) She added that she was “deeply honored” to receive the honorary Palme d’Or and had been looking forward to celebrating films in the festival’s 79th edition. Streisand also said she had hoped to spend time with colleagues she admired and to return to France. In the same statement, she thanked the festival and said she wanted to congratulate filmmakers whose work was being recognized this year. (abcnews.com) ### What changes at Cannes now that she is not attending? Festival organizers said Streisand would still be honored even though she will not appear in person at the ceremony. Variety, citing the festival release, reported that Cannes sent Streisand wishes for a prompt recovery. (abcnews.com) The honorary Palme d’Or is separate from the festival’s main Palme d’Or competition prize. Variety reported that the closing ceremony will also reveal the winner of this year’s Palme d’Or for best film. ### Was Streisand the only honorary Palme recipient this year? (abcnews.com) John Travolta and Peter Jackson were also honored by Cannes this year, according to reports on the festival’s ceremonies. The Associated Press reported that Jackson received an honorary Palme d’Or during the opening ceremony, while Travolta was surprised with one ahead of the premiere of his directorial debut, “Propeller One-Way Night Coach.” Variety described Streisand as the third recipient of an honorary Palme d’Or at this year’s festival. That places her tribute within a broader pattern of Cannes using the 2026 edition to recognize established film figures alongside the competition lineup. (variety.com) ### When is the closing ceremony? The Festival de Cannes official program says the 79th edition runs through May 23, 2026. Variety reported that the closing ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Central European Time on May 23. Cannes will therefore proceed with its final-night awards and Streisand tribute on Saturday, May 23, even without her on the stage. (abcnews.com) The ceremony is the festival’s last major public event before this year’s winners are formally announced. (festival-cannes.com) (variety.com)