In a historic moment at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi took home the prestigious Palme d’Or for his powerful revenge thriller It Was Just an Accident. Panahi, who has been banned from leaving Iran for more than 15 years and has made films under extraordinary circumstances, received a standing ovation that echoed through the festival’s grand theater. Presented by Cate Blanchett, the award honors not only the film but also Panahi’s resilience as an artist fighting for freedom of expression under a repressive regime.
A remarkable victory for a banned filmmaker
Jafar Panahi’s story is one of defiance and dedication. Since 2009, the Iranian dissident director has been barred from traveling abroad and making films legally, yet he continued to create cinema clandestinely. Some of his acclaimed works were shot under surveillance or even inside his home, such as This Is Not a Film and Taxi. His latest film, It Was Just an Accident, draws from his own prison experience and explores themes of revenge and justice when former inmates confront the man who terrorized them behind bars.
The festival audience and jury president Juliette Binoche hailed Panahi’s win as a powerful statement. “The film springs from a feeling of resistance, survival, which is absolutely necessary today,” Binoche said. On stage, Panahi stressed the importance of freedom, declaring, “No one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do or what we should not do. The cinema is a society.” His words struck a chord in a festival marked by political tension and artistic courage.
Neon’s continuing success with Palme d’Or winners
It Was Just an Accident marks Neon’s sixth consecutive Palme d’Or acquisition, continuing an extraordinary streak that includes the Oscar-winning Parasite and Anora. The indie distributor has become synonymous with championing groundbreaking, socially conscious cinema that resonates globally. Neon’s knack for picking Palme winners has solidified its role as a powerhouse in the film industry, helping to bring international stories like Panahi’s to North American audiences.
The film’s narrative, inspired by Panahi’s own encounters in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, adds another layer of authenticity and urgency. After enduring imprisonment and a hunger strike in 2023, Panahi’s release lifted his long-standing travel ban, allowing him to accept the award in person. Unlike his fellow filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, who fled Iran last year to seek asylum, Panahi plans to return home to Tehran, underscoring his commitment to creating art under difficult conditions.
Other highlights and winners at the festival
While Panahi’s triumph was the night’s highlight, the festival recognized many other exceptional works. Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value won the Grand Prix for its poignant exploration of family dynamics. Norwegian director Trier praised Cannes for its dedication to “the big cinematic image,” emphasizing the festival’s role as a sanctuary for thoughtful, empathetic storytelling in an era saturated with fleeting images.
Brazil’s The Secret Agent by Kleber Mendonça Filho took home best director and best actor awards, affirming the country’s rising prominence in global cinema. The jury split the Jury Prize between Óliver Laxe’s Sirât and Mascha Schilinski’s Sound of Falling. The Belgian brothers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne were honored with best screenplay for Young Mothers, marking their ninth Cannes award.
A festival shaped by politics and resilience
This year’s Cannes unfolded amid geopolitical tensions, with U.S. political discourse even touching the film industry through proposed tariffs on foreign movies. Filmmakers responded with pragmatism, focusing instead on the power of cinema to transcend borders. Robert De Niro’s sharp remarks at the opening ceremony set the tone for a festival deeply engaged with the social and political realities filmmakers face worldwide.
Panahi’s Palme d’Or win places him among cinema legends who have won the three major European film awards: Cannes’ Palme d’Or, Venice’s Golden Lion, and Berlin’s Golden Bear. After accepting the award, he spoke about the indomitable spirit of artists working under pressure, asserting that no authority can fully silence creative voices.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival thus closed on a triumphant note for both Panahi and world cinema, celebrating the enduring power of storytelling in the face of adversity and the courage of filmmakers who dare to challenge the status quo.
