Cover Chopard artisans have been handcrafting the Palme d’Or for 70 years
Chopard artisans have been handcrafting the Palme d’Or for 70 years
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As the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025, this legendary trophy continues to represent the pinnacle of cinematic achievement
The Palme d’Or’s journey began in 1955 when jeweller Lucienne Lazon created the first permanent trophy to replace the Cannes Film Festival's rotating Grand Prix award. Inspired by the palm trees lining Cannes' famous Croisette boulevard and the city's coat of arms, the palm leaf design established an immediate connection between the award and its Mediterranean birthplace.
After a brief hiatus between 1964 and 1974 when Cannes Film Festival returned to the Grand Prix format, the Palme d’Or was reinstated, cementing its status as cinema's ultimate recognition. The trophy underwent several transformations until 1997, when Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director, reimagined the award that continues to captivate filmmakers and audiences alike.
Sculpting the wax Palme
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The anatomy of excellence
The modern Palme d'Or features 19 carefully crafted gold leaflets that create a sense of movement and vitality. These leaves aren't merely decorative—they represent the triumphant spirit of achievement that dates back to ancient traditions where palm fronds symbolised victory and acclaim.
Perhaps the most subtle yet meaningful element is the heart-shaped tip at the stem of the palm. This distinctive feature, introduced by Scheufele, represents Chopard's signature emblem while simultaneously symbolising the passionate connection between the Festival and the art of cinema. As Scheufele explains, “The Palme d’Or is not just a trophy; it represents a declaration of love for cinema.”
The base has evolved significantly through the years, transitioning from a pyramid shape in the early 1980s to the current rock crystal cushion hand-cut like a diamond. This crystalline foundation elevates the trophy from mere award to genuine high jewellery, reflecting the precise craftsmanship that goes into creating each piece. The transparency of the crystal allows light to play through the structure, creating a luminous effect that metaphorically represents cinema's illuminating power.
Pouring the gold in the mold
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Profound craftsmanship
Each Palme d’Or requires 70 hours of meticulous work by six specialised artisans in Chopard’s Geneva workshops. The process begins with the “lost wax casting” technique for the mold, followed by smelting 118 grams of ethical gold at 900 degrees Celsius. Since 2014, as part of Chopard’s commitment to sustainability, the trophy has been crafted exclusively from ethically sourced gold, adding another layer of meaning to this iconic award.
Special anniversary editions have incorporated additional symbolic elements. The 70th and 75th Festival editions featured Palmes set with diamonds—a rare honour bestowed upon director Ruben Östlund, who won both commemorative trophies for his films The Square (2017) and Triangle of Sadness (2022).
Polishing the crystal base of the Palme d’Or
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A legacy of excellence
Throughout its history, the Palme d’Or has been awarded to cinema's most influential voices. Nine directors have won it twice, including legends like Francis Ford Coppola and Ken Loach. Women directors joined this prestigious roster when Jane Campion won for The Piano in 1993, followed thirty years later by Julia Ducournau for Titanium and Justine Triet for Anatomy of a Fall.
Above Fixing the Palme d’Or on its crystal base
Fixing the Palme d’Or on its crystal base
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As Juliette Binoche prepares to preside over the jury at the 78th Cannes Film Festival this May, the Palme d’Or stands ready to crown another masterpiece—continuing its role not just as an award, but as a symbol of artistic triumph that transcends borders and unites hearts through the universal language of cinema.
Credits
Photography: Courtesy of Chopard
