Iranian director Jafar Panahi has won the prestigious Palme d’Or award at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking his sixth consecutive victory. The win comes after Panahi’s release from prison and follows a man, his pregnant wife, and their young daughter as they experience a minor car accident that sets off a chain of dark events.
In his speech, Panahi addressed all Iranians, regardless of opinion, saying “The most important thing is our country and the freedom of our country. Let’s arrive at this moment, together.” This win marks a significant achievement for Neon, which holds North American rights to Panahi’s film, as it has won six consecutive Palme d’Or awards.
Other notable winners include Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” taking the Grand Prix, and Kleber Mendonça Filho winning Best Director and Best Actor for his Brazilian thriller “The Secret Agent”. Nadia Melliti took home the Best Actress award for her role in Hafsia Herzi’s “The Little Sister”.
This year’s Cannes Film Festival saw six awards shared among five films from mk2, and five awards from Neon. The ceremony was hosted by French actor Laurent Lafitte, who emphasized the festival’s focus on filmmaking and filmmakers.
Panahi’s win comes after a power outage earlier in the day, but the ceremony went ahead without incident. This year’s Palme d’Or winners will be announced below:
* Palme d’Or: It Was Just An Accident
* Grand Prix: Sentimental Value
* Jury Prize: Tie between Sirat and The Sound Of Falling
* Best Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho
* Best Screenplay: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne
* Best Actress: Nadia Melliti
* Best Actor: Wagner Moura
* Special Award: Resurrection
Source: https://www.screendaily.com/news/it-was-just-an-accident-wins-palme-dor-at-2025-cannes-film-festival/5205476.article