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Presenting the award, Leonardo DiCaprio said: “Growing up in Los Angeles, every young actor I knew watched De Niro’s work. We studied him, trying to understand how he so completely immersed himself in his characters. He created the blueprint. He wasn’t just another great actor—he was the actor.”

Accepting the award, De Niro expressed his gratitude to the festival, but then quickly shifted his speech to Donald Trump, who recently announced plans to impose tariffs on films produced outside the United States.

“Art is truth. Art embraces diversity. And that is why art is a threat to autocrats and fascists around the world. The ignorant president of America was appointed to lead one of the country’s foremost cultural institutions. He slashed funding and support for the arts, the humanities, and education. And now he’s announced a 100% tariff on films made outside the United States. You can’t put a price on connection,” De Niro said.