Jafar Panahi Wins Palme d'Or at Cannes 2025

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has concluded, with the prestigious Palme d'Or awarded to Iranian dissident director Jafar Panahi for his latest film, 'It Was Just An Accident' (잇 워스 저스트 언 액시던트). The award ceremony took place on May 24 in the southern French resort city of Cannes.

The film tells the story of a man, previously imprisoned as a political prisoner, who encounters someone resembling the police officer who tormented him. This work is a blend of reality-based fiction that illustrates how art can survive in an oppressive society. Despite being banned from filmmaking and leaving the country since 2010, Panahi has secretly continued to create films and submit them to international festivals. He was released on bail in 2023 after a hunger strike, making this his first feature film to be publicly screened since then.

Upon receiving the award, Panahi emphasized, "The most important thing right now is the freedom of our country," adding that no one should dictate what people should wear or do. His remarks were met with a standing ovation. He further stated, "This award is not just mine; it is for all Iranian directors who cannot make films right now."

With this win, Panahi becomes the fifth director to have claimed the top honors at all three major film festivals: the Venice Film Festival (Golden Lion in 2000 for 'The Circle'), the Berlin International Film Festival (Golden Bear in 2015 for 'Taxi'), and now Cannes.

The Jury Prize was awarded to Joachim Trier's 'Sentimental Value,' which delicately portrays a family's reunion. The Special Jury Prize was shared by 'Siraat,' which follows a father searching for his missing daughter, and 'The Sound of Falling,' which explores generational conflicts.

The Best Director award went to Kleber Mendonça Filho for 'Secret Agent,' which delves into Brazil's political realities, while the Best Actor award was given to Wagner Moura from the same film. French newcomer Nadia Meliti won Best Actress for her role in 'The Little Sister,' and the Best Screenplay award went to the Dardenne brothers for 'The Young Mothers Home.'

Although no South Korean feature films made it to the competition, there was a notable achievement in the short film category. Director Heo Ga-young, a graduate of the Korean Academy of Film Arts, won first place in the La Cinef section with her film 'First Summer' (첫여름), marking the first time a Korean work has received the top award in this category.