New Delhi, March 6 -- Filmmaker Peter Jackson of 'The Lord of the Rings' fame will be honoured with the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Jackson will be honoured at the opening ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 12.

The director said it is one of the greatest privileges of his career to be presented with the award. "To be honoured with an Honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes is one of the greatest privileges of my career."

"Cannes has been a meaningful part of my filmmaking journey. In 1988, I attended the Festival Marketplace with my first movie, Bad Taste, then in 2001 we screened a preview sequence from The Fellowship of the Ring, both of which were important milestones in my career," Jackson said in a statement.

"This...