George Lucas is to receive the Honorary Palme d’or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

The Star Wars filmmaker will receive the award at the festival’s closing ceremony on May 25. 

“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, THX-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight,” said Lucas. 

“Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honored by this special recognition which means a great deal to me.”

This year’s Cannes Film Festival runs May 14-25. Festival director Thierry Frémaux will announce this year’s full official selection Thursday morning in Paris after the festival previously confirmed George Miller’s Furiosa and Quentin Dupieux’s The Second Act for slots.

More To Come.