Nicole Kidman, an Oscar-adorned actress whose 2024 has been a cinematic whirlwind, featuring standout roles in Babygirl, Holland, Lioness, The Perfect Couple, A Family Affair, and Expats, is set to make a triumphant return to the red carpets of Cannes. It has been confirmed that she will be bestowed with the prestigious Women in Motion Award, an accolade that recognizes her exemplary contributions both on-screen and off, fostering the progress of women in cinema and society.
The honor, jointly presented by the Cannes Film Festival and its long-standing partner Kering, will be showcased during a glamorous gala ceremony on May 18th. This star-studded event typically draws an elite crowd comprising jury members, A-list celebrities, renowned directors, and industry insiders. Kidman will mark a significant milestone as the 10th recipient of the Women in Motion Award, joining an illustrious lineup that includes luminaries such as Donna Langley of NBCUniversal, Jane Fonda, Isabelle Huppert, Patty Jenkins, Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Viola Davis, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li, and Salma Hayek Pinault.
The award celebrates "female artists who, through their career achievements and dedicated efforts, elevate the status of women in both cinema and society." Kidman has epitomized this ethos, particularly since her 2017 pledge to collaborate with a female director every 18 months. She has surpassed this commitment, having worked with nearly 20 female directors since then.
It was in 2017, during the world premiere of Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled, that Kidman last graced the Cannes red carpet to receive the 70th-anniversary prize. However, her Cannes journey spans decades, encompassing films such as Far and Away, To Die For, Moulin Rouge!, Dogville, Hemingway & Gellhorn, The Paperboy, Grace of Monaco, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Top of the Lake: China Girl, and How to Talk to Girls at Parties.
"For this anniversary edition of Women In Motion, Nicole Kidman, who embodies the very essence of the program, was a natural choice," elaborated François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering. "Through her artistic excellence, committed choices, and concrete actions to reshape representations in cinema, she stands as a potent testament to what Women In Motion has championed for a decade."
Kidman expressed her profound honor in receiving the award from Pinault and festival directors Thierry Fremaux and Iris Knobloch. "I am deeply honored to join this esteemed list of extraordinary women whom I deeply admire. The Cannes Film Festival has been an integral part of my life for over three decades, and I am thrilled to add this incredible recognition to the many cherished memories I have made here," she said.
Fremaux hailed Kidman as an "immensely talented actress whose rich filmography, meticulously curated by her, and her masterful, unsettling performances have indelibly marked the history of contemporary cinema." He added, "She has collaborated with some of the most iconic directors, bringing her versatility and profound sensitivity to each role. Through her nuanced portrayals of women breaking free from their constraints, she has showcased a spectrum of strengths and flaws that resonate deeply."
Knobloch echoed these sentiments, stating, "When a great actress works with nearly twenty female directors within a few years, she shines a spotlight on the vibrant and dynamic talent of women in cinema. Through these projects and her production company, Nicole Kidman has given the writers, directors, and storytellers the visibility they rightfully deserve."
Next, Kidman will star in a new season of Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu, a series she executive produces. Her upcoming projects also include Margo's Got Money Troubles, alongside Elle Fanning, and Scarpetta, co-starring Jamie Lee Curtis.
