Panahi’s “Accident” Wins 2025’s Palme d’Or.

Iranian director Jafar Panahi has won top honor of the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. His film, “It Was Just an Accident,” is a thriller about a former political prisoner who kidnaps a man he believes to be his torturer and then debates with other dissidents whether to kill or forgive him. […] The post Panahi’s “Accident” Wins 2025’s Palme d’Or. appeared first on Dark Horizons.

May 25, 2025 - 10:30

Panahi’s “Accident” Wins 2025’s Palme d’Or.

Iranian director Jafar Panahi has won top honor of the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

His film, “It Was Just an Accident,” is a thriller about a former political prisoner who kidnaps a man he believes to be his torturer and then debates with other dissidents whether to kill or forgive him.

It marks Panahi’s first film since being released from prison in 2023 and directly targets Iran’s authoritarian regime. He returned to Cannes to accept the award.

It’s also the sixth Palme d’Or winner in a row to be acquired by Neon for North America. No single film was the overall frontrunner going into the awards.

Brazilian actor Wagner Moura (“Narcos”) took best actor for his starring role in The “Secret Agent,” while newcomer Nadia Melliti (“The Little Sister’) won best actress for her “The Little Sister” work.

The full list of winners follows are:

Grand Prix: Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value

Jury Prize: Mascha Schilinski for Sound of Falling and Oliver Laxe for Sirat (tie)

Best Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho for The Secret Agent

Best Screenplay: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for Young Mothers

Special Prize: Resurrection, Camera d’Or for Best First Film: “The President’s Cake”
Palme d’Or for Best Short Film: “I’m Glad You’re Dead Now”.

The post Panahi’s “Accident” Wins 2025’s Palme d’Or. appeared first on Dark Horizons.