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May 18, 2022 \u2013<\/strong> Yesterday, WPDI CEO and Founder, Forest Whitaker, was the guest of honor at the Opening of the 75th Cannes Film Festival in France. He was invited to deliver the opening speech of the ceremony and received the Honorary Palme d\u2019Or from Pierre Lescure, the President of the Festival.<\/p>\n This prestigious award from one of the most prominent institutions in the world of cinema came in recognition of his exceptional career as artist and producer as well as his unwavering commitment to humanitarian issues and social justice. The award was conferred on Forest Whitaker to highlight how he has profoundly transformed the film industry through his work both on and off the screen.<\/p>\n During his remarks when being awarded the Honorary Palme d\u2019Or, Forest Whitaker said: \u201cAs I returned to the Palais today, memories came flooding back to me from 34 years ago, when I was first invited to Cannes in support of the movie Bird. […] The encouragement and support I received at Cannes assured me that I\u2019d chosen the right path for myself, and truly opened doors for me to be viewed as an international artist.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Indeed, Forest Whitaker\u2019s connection to the Festival de Cannes spans decades. In 1988, he won the Best Actor award, his first ever award, for his portrayal of Charlie Parker in Clind Eastwood\u2019s \u201cBird\u201d. He appeared in three more films selected at the Festival during the 1990s: Bill Duke\u2019s \u201cA Rage in Harlem,\u201d Abdel Ferrara\u2019s \u201cBody Snatchers,\u201d and Jim Jarmusch\u2019s \u201cGhost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.\u201d In 2006, a restored copy of the 1986 classic \u201cPlatoon\u201d was screened at the festival, with Whitaker portraying Big Harold, and in 2013, J\u00e9r\u00f4me Salle\u2019s \u201cZulu\u201d was screened at the Festival, with Whitaker starring alongside Orlando Bloom.<\/p>\n Forest Whitaker\u2019s lifelong commitment to activism through film and humanitarian initiatives with WPDI has led him to become one of the most respected actors and producers in Hollywood today. Fighting against racial discrimination, community violence, poverty and inequality has been the driving force behind Whitaker\u2019s artistic and humanitarian efforts for years, and this recognition from the Cannes Film Festival is evidence of the enduring impression he leaves on viewers, beneficiaries of his work in sustainable development and in government decision-makers.<\/p>\n Whitaker\u2019s commitment to humanitarian causes was also signaled at the Festival with the world premiere screening of For the Sake of Peace, a documentary film directed by Christophe Castagne and Thomas Sametin and produced by WPDI, Significant Productions and R2 Production. The film tells us how two youths, a young mother, Nandege, and a football coach at a camp for displaced persons, Gatjang, chose to fight for peace in their respective communities in two different places of South Sudan, a country ravaged by war. The film teaches us how hope and peace can be found even in the darkest of places, thanks to patient humanitarian efforts and the incredible resolution and commitment of ordinary people with an extraordinary determination to improve life for the people around and beyond.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The production team of For the Sake of Peace! From left to right: \u2014 WPDI (@connectWPDI) May 18, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wpdi.org\/app\/uploads\/Forest-Whitaker-Festival-de-Cannes-2022.jpg\")
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\nChristophe Castagne, Director;
\nRichard Rohou, Executive Producer;
\nCaroline Descombris, Producer;
\nForest Whitaker, Producer;
\nThomas Sametin, Director;
\nJulien Lecat, Editor;
\nNicolas Houlot, Production Manager. pic.twitter.com\/pRVke6MY1f<\/a><\/p>\n