Meryl Streep said she's in complete 'awe of actresses who are producing movies themselves' during a Q&A event in Cannes on Wednesday.

The Hollywood icon, 74, returned to Cannes Film Festival for the first time in 35 years to be awarded the festival's Honorary Palme d'or on Tuesday.

And speaking about her well-deserved award, the humble Oscar-winning actress couldn't help but turn the attention away from herself to praise fellow female stars in the industry.

Speaking on stage with French journalist Didier Allouch, Meryl said: 'There are so many women producing for themselves and I’m so in awe of the ones who have done that. 

'Reese [Witherspoon] and Nicole [Kidman], Natalie Portman. Everybody has their own production company.

Meryl Streep, 74, said she's in complete 'awe of actresses who are producing movies themselves' during a Q&A event in Cannes on Wednesday

The Hollywood icon returned to Cannes for the first time in 35 years to be awarded the festival's Honorary Palme d'or on Tuesday

'I have a production company of babies and that’s what I’ve produced, but I didn’t ever want to get phone calls after seven o’clock at night. So, I never did that.

'I’m in awe of people who do that. There are only so many hours in the day.'

Meryl also revealed she stayed up late partying till 3am the night she received the honorary award.

Meryl follows in the footsteps in the likes of Jeanne Moreau, Jean-Pierre Léaud, Jane Fonda, Agnès Varda, Michael Douglas and Jodie Foster to receive the Festival's Honorary Palme d'or.

Just 35 years after winning the Best Actress award for Evil Angels, her only appearance in Cannes to date, Meryl made her long-awaited return to the Croisette.

In good company, the award was presented to her by French actress Juliette Binoche.

Speaking on winning the award, she said: 'I am immeasurably honored to receive the news of this prestigious award.

'To win a prize at Cannes, for the international community of artists, has always represented the highest achievement in the art of filmmaking. 

And speaking about her well-deserved award, the humble Oscar-winning actress couldn't help but turn the attention away from herself to praise fellow female stars in the industry

Speaking on stage with French journalist Didier Allouch (pictured), Meryl said: 'There are so many women producing for themselves and I’m so in awe of the ones who have done that'

'Reese [Witherspoon] and Nicole [Kidman], Natalie Portman. Everybody has their own production company', she added

She continued: 'I have a production company of babies and that’s what I’ve produced, but I didn’t ever want to get phone calls after seven o’clock at night. So, I never did that'

She said: 'I’m in awe of people who do that. There are only so many hours in the day'

Meryl also revealed she stayed up late partying till 3am the night she received the honorary award

'To stand in the shadow of those who have previously been honored is humbling and thrilling in equal part.'

Cannes Film Festival president Iris Knobloch and general delegate Thierry Frémaux said: 'We all have something in us of Meryl Streep.

'We all have something in us of Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie's Choice, Out of Africa, The Bridges of Madison County, The Devil Wears Prada and Mamma Mia.

'Because she has spanned almost 50 years of cinema and embodied countless masterpieces, Meryl Streep is part of our collective imagination, our shared love of cinema.'

Mr Fremaux is said to have been trying to persuade Meryl to get back to the Croisette for several years now - wanting her to take an honorary role.

Throughout her career Meryl has earned herself 21 Oscar nominations and has one three.

The Cannes red carpet returned as the 77th Film Festival got underway on Tuesday evening.

Just 35 years after winning the Best Actress award for Evil Angels, her only appearance in Cannes to date, Meryl made her long-awaited return to the Croisette to pick up her award on Tuesday 

Meryl pictured at her first Cannes Film Festival in 1989 - 35 years ago

In good company, the award was presented to her by French actress Juliette Binoche

The Oscar winning actress follows in the footsteps in the likes of Jeanne Moreau, Jean-Pierre Léaud, Jane Fonda, Agnès Varda, Michael Douglas and Jodie Foster to receive the Festival's Honorary Palme d'or

Speaking on winning the award, she said: 'To stand in the shadow of those who have previously been honored is humbling and thrilling in equal part'

Meryl looked nothing short of sensational in a white gown as she posed on the red carpet ahead of the The Second Act premiere

The star turned heads in the gown as she posed on the red carpet

Meryl looked nothing short of sensational as she stepped out on the star-studded red carpet wearing a white gown. 

She looked incredible in the long sleeved number which boasted a wrap front cinching in her waist. 

The Mamma Mia star added inches to her frame in a pair of silver heels and carried her belongings in a matching clutch. 

The Devil Wears Prada actress flashed her gorgeous smile for cameras and waved to fans lining the red carpet. 

In a statement, Meryl shared with THR: 'I am immeasurably honored to receive the news of this prestigious award. To win a prize at Cannes, for the international community of artists, has always represented the highest achievement in the art of filmmaking. 

'To stand in the shadow of those who have previously been honored is humbling and thrilling in equal part. I so look forward to coming to France to thank everyone in person this May!'

The last time she appeared at the festival was back in 1989, when she won the Best Actress award for her work in Fred Schepisi's Evil Angels a Cry in the Dark.

Preparation for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival is well underway, with Anya Taylor-Joy and her Furiosa co-star Chris Hemsworth ready to make an entrance at the opening ceremony on Tuesday evening. 

Eva Green was spotted wearing a grungy-looking attire as she wandered around Cannes on Wednesday

After stunning on the star-studded red carpet on Tuesday night, the French actress, 43, opted for a more casual fitting

She slipped into cuffed black jeans with a graphic black blazer, shielding her eyes with dark-rimmed sunglasses

Eva Green was spotted wearing a grundgy-looking attire as she wandered around Cannes on Wednesday.

After stunning on the star-studded red carpet on Tuesday night, the French actress, 43, opted for a more casual fitting.

She slipped into cuffed black jeans with a graphic black blazer, shielding her eyes with dark-rimmed sunglasses.