John Travolta Wins Special Award at Cannes Film Festival

May 15, 2026, 21:39
EuropeEntertainment

Introduction

The Cannes Film Festival gave a special award to actor John Travolta. He also showed his first movie as a director.

Main Body

Travolta wrote and directed a movie called 'Propeller One-Way Night Coach'. It is based on a children's book from 1997. His daughter, Ella Bleu Travolta, is in the movie. The story is about old airplanes. Travolta is famous for movies like 'Grease' and 'Pulp Fiction'. He did not win an Oscar, but he says this award is better. The festival also gave awards to Peter Jackson and Barbra Streisand. In the past, the festival gave similar awards to Denzel Washington and Tom Cruise.

Conclusion

John Travolta got a big award for his life's work and showed his new movie at Cannes.

Learning

⚡ The "Past Action" Pattern

Look at these words from the text:

  • Gave
  • Showed
  • Wrote
  • Did

These are Past Words. We use them to talk about things that are finished.

How to change them → Most words just need -ed at the end:

  • Show →\rightarrow Showed

But some are "rule-breakers" (Irregular):

  • Give →\rightarrow Gave
  • Write →\rightarrow Wrote
  • Do →\rightarrow Did

Quick Example:

  • Today: I write a story.
  • Yesterday: I wrote a story.

📌 Useful Connection: "Based on"

In the text: "It is based on a children's book."

Use "Based on" when a movie or story comes from a real book or a true story.

  • Movie A is based on a book.
  • Movie B is based on a real person.

Vocabulary Learning

award (n.)
a prize or recognition given for achievement
Example:She received an award for her best performance.
film (n.)
a movie or motion picture
Example:We watched a film about space travel.
festival (n.)
a gathering or event for entertainment, usually with many activities
Example:The music festival attracted thousands of fans.
movie (n.)
a story shown on screen with moving pictures
Example:The movie was very exciting.
director (n.)
a person who leads the making of a film
Example:The director explained the plot to the actors.
children (n.)
young people who are not yet adults
Example:The children played in the park.
book (n.)
a set of written pages bound together
Example:I read a book about history.
story (n.)
a narrative or account of events
Example:She told a story about her trip.
airplane (n.)
a vehicle that flies in the air
Example:The airplane landed safely.
famous (adj.)
well known by many people
Example:He is a famous actor.
win (v.)
to succeed in a competition
Example:They will win if they practice hard.
Oscar (n.)
an award for best film
Example:The Oscar is a prestigious award.
life (n.)
the existence of a person
Example:Her life was full of adventures.
big (adj.)
large in size or importance
Example:The building is big.
new (adj.)
recently made or not previously known
Example:I bought a new car.
special (adj.)
different or unique
Example:This cake is special for the holiday.
first (adj.)
earliest or beginning
Example:This is my first visit.
similar (adj.)
having many qualities in common
Example:Their ideas are similar.
past (adj.)
previous or earlier
Example:The past is in history.
better (adj.)
of higher quality
Example:This version is better.