Written By: Rhea Lobo
Chopard has the Cannes Croisette under a spell. From the iconic Palme d’Or to this year’s Miracles collection to the industry’s most prestigious rising-star award, here’s how Chopard became the ultimate Cannes power player.
For nearly three decades, Chopard has occupied one of the most important roles at the Cannes Film Festival as one of the institution’s most enduring creative partners, and certainly the most famous jeweler on the Croisette. Since becoming an official partner in 1998 under the vision of Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director, the Maison has embedded itself into the very fabric of Cannes, shaping many of its most symbolic moments through craftsmanship, patronage, and an unshakable devotion to cinema.
2018 Joe Alwyn, Elizabeth Debicki | Courtesy of Chopard
Today, Chopard’s relationship with the festival extends far beyond the red carpet. The Maison crafts the Palme d’Or itself, transforming cinema’s highest honor into an object of haute joaillerie through ethical gold, sculpted crystal, and more than 70 hours of artisanal work. Alongside it, the Trophée Chopard has become one of the industry’s most closely watched markers of emerging talent, having recognized early promise in actors before they took over contemporary cinema – from our own cover star Léa Seydoux (2009) to Florence Pugh (2019).
2019 Francois Civil, Florence Pugh | Courtesy of Chopard
2009 H.Swank, L.Seydoux, C.Scheufele, D.Kross, M.Cotillard | Courtesy of Chopard
Continuing the dialogue between film and craftsmanship is Chopard’s 2026 Red Carpet Collection, Miracles. Inspired by fleeting moments of wonder found in all parts of the natural world, the collection reinforces the art of transformation in both cinema and jewelry. Across trophies, heirloom-level creations, and longstanding support for emerging artists, Chopard has integrated its own artistic language into the partnership with Cannes Film Festival.
Courtesy of Chopard
PALME D’OR
Returning for the 79th edition of the Festival, the Maison once again unveils the iconic Palme d’Or, a trophy that has long since been synonymous with cinematic prowess. Originally redesigned in 1998 by Caroline Scheufele, the objet d’art is crafted from 18-carat ethical yellow gold and requires over 70 hours of artisanal expertise to complete – the film equivalent would be watching around 40 movies. It’s 19 sculpted leaflets rest on a hand-cut rock crystal base, while the stem subtly forms Chopard’s signature heart motif.
Courtesy of Chopard
Far more than a trophy, the Palme d’Or awards cinematic skill with the skill of a craftsmen. Since 2014, it has been produced entirely in ethical gold, reinforcing Chopard’s longstanding commitment to sustainable luxury. Present each year to the filmmaker who leaves the deepest mark on the jury, the Palme d’Or remains the ultimate marker of cinematic prestige.
Courtesy of Chopard
TROPHÉE CHOPARD
Since 2001, the Trophée Chopard has also occupied its own unique space within the Cannes Film Festival as an early signal of cinema’s next generation. Conceived by Caroline Scheufele, the prize honors one actress and one actor whose work reflects the future of contemporary film, blending artistic instinct with international promise.
Isabelle Huppert ©Greg Williams | Courtesy of Chopard
For its 2026 edition, the Maison appoints Isabelle Huppert as Godmother, a fitting choice for a prize rooted in artistic transmission. Across decades of auteur cinema, international productions, theatre – the list goes on – Isabelle has cultivated a career defined by fearlessness and precision, much like the spirit of the award. Presented during an uber-official dinner at Carlton Beach, this year’s trophies will be awarded to Odessa A’zion and Connor Swindells, two actors navigating distinctly modern trajectories through film and television.
Odessa A'zion ©Taylor Hill | Courtesy of Chopard
Connor Swindells ©Tom Mitchell | Courtesy of Chopard
Odessa’s growing reputation for emotionally charged performances and a slate spanning indie cinema, steaming, and prestige projects alongside Connor’s traverse between period drama, auteur cinema, and large-scale productions, beyond his breakout role in Sex Education, make them both absolutely deserving of the Trophée Chopard.
MIRACLES COLLECTION
In a fittingly remarkable return to the Croisette, Chopard enters with Miracles, its latest red carpet collection. The quiet wonder found in fleeting moments inspires the collection with the unexpected details in nature, light, and memory that alter the way we see the world, much like a good film does.
Courtesy of Chopard
Courtesy of Chopard
Courtesy of Chopard
Rather than focusing on grandeur alone, Miracles leans into intimacy and observation. A cloud formation, the bloom of a flower, the movement of an animal, the discovery of a gemstone – all equally playing characters for creations that fantasize reality’s beauty. Within Chopard’s Geneva ateliers, these inspirations are brought to life in ethical gold, intricate gem-setting, and sculptural forms.
Courtesy of Chopard
Among the standout pieces is a necklace centered around an extraordinary 88-carat royal blue sapphire, suspended within cascading rows of sapphires, aquamarines, and diamonds that evoke the meeting of sky and sea. Elsewhere, a phoenix brooch is rose gold and titanium captures a moment of rebirth through emeralds and multicolored sapphires, while a diamond-set carp brooch introduces movement and fluidity inspired by the aquatic world. And a butterfly-shaped secret watch completes the collection, time safeguarded beneath gem-encrusted wings.
Courtesy of Chopard
Courtesy of Chopard
Courtesy of Chopard
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