Organizers announced that Jackson would be the recipient of the award for what they said was an oeuvre that combines Hollywood blockbusters and auteur films with exceptional artistic vision and technological audacity.
The "Lord of the Rings" director called the recognition one of the greatest privileges of his career in a statement. He recalled that he first came to Cannes in 1988 to sell his first film, "Bad Taste." In 2002, he returned to preview "The Fellowship of the Ring."
"This festival has always celebrated bold, visionary cinema, and I am so grateful to the Cannes Film Festival for recognizing me among the filmmakers and artists whose work continues to inspire me," said Jackson.
Last year, the Cannes Film Festival awarded the honorary Palme d'Or to Robert De Niro and Denzel Washington. This year's edition of the festival will be held from May 12th to 23rd.
