Iranian director Jafar Panahi has won the top prize at the 78th Cannes film festival, the Palme d’Or, for his film “It Was Just an Accident”. The thriller follows a former political prisoner who kidnaps a man he believes to be his torturer and debates with other dissidents about whether to kill or forgive him.
Panahi’s win marks a triumphant return to Cannes after being imprisoned in Iran just a few years ago. He faces a 20-year travel ban, but the Palme d’Or is the culmination of his rare festival triple crown, winning all three major European film festivals: Venice’s Golden Lion and Berlin’s Golden Bear.
The Cannes jury included prominent actors, directors, and writers from around the world. The festival was marked by several other notable awards, including best director for Kleber Mendonça Filho for “The Secret Agent” and best actress for Nadia Melliti for her role in “The Little Sister”.
Panahi’s win is seen as a powerful statement against Iran’s authoritarian regime, with his film being his first since being released from prison in 2023. The Palme d’Or victory is a significant recognition of Panahi’s work and a testament to the power of cinema to challenge authority and inspire change.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2025-cannes-film-festival-palme-dor-winners-1236228268