Barbra Streisand, the acclaimed singer, actress, and filmmaker, has announced that she will not be present at the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival on 23 May. The decision comes as a result of a knee injury she is currently recovering from, and she expressed her disappointment in a recent statement.
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Streisand, aged 84, was set to be honoured with the prestigious honorary Palme d’Or award, which she was expected to accept during the festival’s closing events. In her announcement made on 17 May, she stated, “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. But I am deeply honoured to receive the honorary Palme d’Or and had so been looking forward to celebrating the remarkable films of the 79th edition.”
The renowned star, who has a long history with the film industry, conveyed her regret about missing the opportunity to engage with her peers and reconnect with France, a country she holds dear. She added, “I was also very much looking forward to spending time with colleagues whom I so admire — and, of course, returning to France, a place I have always loved.”
Barbra Streisand extended her congratulations to the filmmakers participating in this year’s festival, appreciating their extraordinary contributions to the art of cinema. “While I regret that I can’t be there in person, I want to extend my warmest congratulations to all of the filmmakers from around the world whose extraordinary talent and creative vision are being celebrated this year,” she stated.
Despite her absence, the festival organisers have pledged to honour Streisand at the ceremony. A statement released by the festival indicated that Iris Knobloch, Thierry Frémaux, and the entire festival team have sent their best wishes for her swift recovery. The closing ceremony, which will take place at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, will still feature her in a capacity that recognises her achievements.
This year, Streisand joins fellow honourees John Travolta and Peter Jackson in receiving the Palme d’Or. The award highlights their significant contributions to the film industry, a testament to their enduring legacies.
Streisand’s last public appearance occurred during the 98th Academy Awards on 15 March, where she performed a heartfelt tribute to her late co-star Robert Redford. The actor passed away on 16 September 2025 at the age of 89. In her tribute, Streisand sang a poignant rendition of “The Way We Were,” a song they famously collaborated on in the 1973 film of the same name. Her emotions were palpable as she recalled their time together, saying, “He was a brilliant, subtle actor. And we had a wonderful time playing off each other because we never quite knew what the other one was going to do in the scene.”
Streisand’s absence from this year’s Cannes Film Festival highlights not only her place in the cinematic firmament but also the importance of health considerations in the entertainment industry. While her knee injury has kept her from attending, her influence and legacy in film, music, and culture continue to resonate. The festival will acknowledge her artistic contributions, ensuring that she remains a celebrated figure in this year’s festivities.
As the closing ceremony approaches, fans and industry colleagues alike have expressed their support and admiration for Streisand. The Cannes Film Festival has long been a platform to showcase talent and creativity, and even in her absence, Streisand’s impact will be felt as part of this prestigious celebration of filmmaking.