Jafar Panahi’s film “It Was Just An Accident” has claimed the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, concluding on May 25. This marks Panahi’s first feature since his release from prison and portrays a gripping narrative involving a man, his heavily pregnant wife, and their young child, whose lives spiral out of control following a minor car accident.
In a poignant acceptance speech, Panahi spoke directly to “all Iranians, with different opinions, in Iran and around the world,” emphasizing the importance of national freedom and unity: “Let’s arrive at this moment, together, when no one dares to say what we should wear, what we should or shouldn’t do.”
This victory signifies a remarkable sixth consecutive Palme d’Or win for the U.S.-based company Neon, which also owns the North American distribution rights for the film. They have managed the last five winners at Cannes, including celebrated titles like “Parasite” and “Anatomy of a Fall.”
The festival and its awards came amidst unique challenges; an unexpected power outage earlier that day caused significant disruption, yet the ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Other notable awards at this year’s festival included Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value,” which received the Grand Prix, and the Best Actress award going to Nadia Melliti for her performance in “The Little Sister.” Kleber Mendonça Filho received acclaim as Best Director for his work on “The Secret Agent,” while French filmmaking duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne secured the Best Screenplay award for “Young Mothers.”
New achievements also emerged from various international filmmakers: Hasan Hadi’s “The President’s Cake” won the Camera d’Or for best debut feature, marking a historic first for an Iraqi film at Cannes, and a special award was given to Bi Gan for his fantasy epic “Resurrection.”
The ceremony was hosted by actor Laurent Lafitte, who celebrated the spirit of the festival, which remains dedicated to honoring the creative artistry of filmmakers.
This year’s judging panel included notable figures such as Juliette Binoche and Halle Berry, who contributed to an exciting lineup of talent recognized for their introspective and dynamic storytelling.
This year’s festival illustrates a continued commitment to diverse and powerful narratives, highlighting not only the triumphs of filmmakers like Panahi, but also the shared aspirations for a more expressive and liberated future.