Cannes Film Festival 2026: Barbra Streisand cancels her visit for health reasons

Barbra Streisand, Hollywood actress and legendary singer, had to give up going to Cannes to receive an honorary Palme d’Or for medical reasons, the organizers announced on Sunday, May 17, in a press release. “On the advice of my doctors, as I continue my recovery from a knee injury, I unfortunately cannot join the Cannes Film Festival this year,” explains the artist quoted in the press release.

In its press release, the festival indicates that it is however maintaining the tribute to Barbra Streisand, announced in March and scheduled for May 23, and wishes her a “prompt recovery”. “I am deeply honored to receive the Honorary Palme d’Or and looked forward to celebrating the remarkable films of the 79th edition,” assure de son côté Barbra Streisand qui a fêté ses 84 ans le 24 avril.

“My most sincere thanks go to the festival, as well as to all those who continue to support and defend the art of cinema,” adds the actress who distinguished herself in Our best years (Sydney Pollack, 1973), Funny Girl (William Wyler, 1968) oh Yentl (which she also directed, 1983).

On the program for the Honorary Palmes d’Or this year at the Cannes Film Festival, Barbra Streisand succeeds John Travolta, another Hollywood icon of acting and music, distinguished – to his greatest surprise – Friday May 15 during the screening of his film Night flight for Los Angeles. During the opening ceremony, it was the New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson, known worldwide for the trilogies of Lord of the Rings a you Hobbit, who received the same tribute.