France, April 8 -- Veteran film star Robert de Niro will receive an honorary Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement at the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival which starts on 13 May.

"I have very strong feelings about the Cannes Festival," said the 81-year-old American. "Especially today, when so many things in the world separate us, Cannes brings us together. It's like coming home."

Fourteen years after chairing the festival's jury in 2011, the actor, director and producer will be feted for Oscar-winning roles over 60 years in classic films such as Raging Bull, Godfather II and Taxi Driver, which claimed the Palme d'Or in 1976.

"There are faces that stand in for the 7th art and lines that leave an indelible mark on cinephil...