The fest's highest honor for an individual was presented to the Oscar winner ahead of the premiere of his latest film, 'Highest 2 Lowest,' which is screening out of competition this year.

The “Highest 2 Lowest” actor made headlines Monday for calling out a handsy photographer who grabbed him on the red carpet in a tense exchange.

Denzel Washington appeared to get into a spat with a photographer while walking the red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival, and a video of the exchange has gone viral on social media. Newsweek reached out to Washington's representative via email for comment.