Julianne Moore joins Cannes elite award line up with major Women in Motion win

Julianne Moore is set to receive one of the most prestigious honours at this year’s Cannes Film Festival after being named the latest recipient of the Kering Women in Motion Award. The announcement places the Academy Award winning actor among a growing list of major cultural figures recognised for shaping the role of women in cinema and beyond.

The award, launched in 2015 through a partnership between luxury group Kering and the Cannes Film Festival, highlights artists whose careers have contributed to greater visibility, opportunity and representation for women in the film industry. Over the years, it has been presented to figures including Nicole Kidman, Jane Fonda, Viola Davis, Salma Hayek Pinault and Michelle Yeoh, establishing it as a key feature of the festival’s official programme.

Moore will be formally honoured during the Women in Motion ceremony scheduled for May 17 at Cannes. She will also be joined by Italian filmmaker Margherita Spampinato, who will receive the Emerging Talent Award, a separate recognition designed to support early career directors with funding for their next feature film.

The selection of Moore reflects a career spanning more than three decades, marked by critically acclaimed performances in films such as Still Alice, Far From Heaven, The Hours, The Kids Are All Right and Boogie Nights. More recently, she has appeared in May December, Echo Valley, The Room Next Door and the limited series Sirens. She is also attached to an upcoming musical comedy directed by Jesse Eisenberg.

Beyond acting, Moore has established herself as an author through her Freckleface Strawberry children’s book series and as an advocate for gun safety reform in the United States, serving as founding chair of Everytown for Gun Safety’s Creative Council.

In a statement, Moore described the recognition as meaningful, emphasising the importance of expanding opportunities for women in storytelling both on screen and behind the camera. She highlighted the role of visibility in shaping a more inclusive film industry and supporting future generations of creators.

Festival leaders also praised Moore’s contribution to cinema. Cannes president Iris Knobloch noted her long standing commitment to complex and challenging roles, while Thierry Frémaux, the festival’s general delegate, described her as one of the most significant actors of contemporary film, recognising her range and precision across international cinema.

Alongside Moore’s honour, attention will also turn to Margherita Spampinato, whose debut feature Gioia Mia has already gained festival recognition, including awards at Locarno. The film has been praised for its portrayal of childhood and memory in a Sicilian setting, with its success positioning Spampinato as one of the emerging voices to watch.