Cannes 2025: Jafar Panahi Wins the Palme d’Or with a Defiant and Poignant Film

The Iranian dissident filmmaker triumphed on Saturday night with “A Simple Accident,” a clandestine film with powerful political overtones. A look back at a memorable awards night marked by emotion, diversity, and bold choices.

Despite a major power outage that darkened Cannes and its surroundings on Saturday morning, the closing ceremony of the 78th Festival went ahead without disruption. After twelve days of fierce competition, the Palme d’Or was awarded to Jafar Panahi for A Simple Accident, a film secretly shot in Iran while the director remained banned from making movies.

A leading figure of auteur cinema and a symbol of artistic resistance against the Iranian regime, Panahi delivers a powerful moral tale, portraying former prisoners torn between forgiveness and revenge. “The most important thing is the freedom of our country,” he declared in an emotional acceptance speech. His presence at Cannes, after 15 years of house arrest and imprisonment, was a moment of profound significance.

A Bold, Politically Charged Awards List

The Grand Prix went to Norwegian director Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, an intimate drama starring Renate Reinsve that explores love, grief, and fragile family bonds.

In the acting categories, Wagner Moura won Best Actor for his portrayal of a hunted man in The Secret Agent, a politically charged thriller set during Brazil’s 1970s military dictatorship. The film’s director, Kleber Mendonça Filho, also received the Best Director Award.

Nadia Melliti, a newcomer to the screen, earned Best Actress for The Youngest One by Hafsia Herzi — an adaptation of Fatima Daas’s novel depicting the emotional and sexual awakening of a young Muslim lesbian in suburban Paris.

The Best Screenplay Award went to Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for Young Mothers, a stark and poignant drama that continues the brothers’ long-standing engagement with social realism.

The Jury Prize was shared between two contrasting works: Sirât by Oliver Laxe, a feverish and immersive journey through a rave-like apocalyptic world in search of a missing daughter; and Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski, a sweeping historical drama following generations of women in rural Germany.

New Voices and Unexpected Honors

The Caméra d’Or, celebrating the best first feature, was awarded to The President’s Cake by Iraqi director Hasan Hadi, a politically tinged tale told through a child’s eyes. A special mention was given to My Father’s Shadow by Akinola Davies Jr.

The Special Jury Prize, presented by Jury President Juliette Binoche, went to Resurrection by Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan, praised as “a magnificent film.”

In the short film category, the Palme d’Or went to I’m Glad You’re Dead Now by Tawfeek Barhom, a tense and haunting story of two brothers forced to confront their troubled past on a childhood island.

A Festival of Resilience and Emotion

This year’s jury, led by Juliette Binoche, included American actor Jeremy Strong, Hollywood icon Halle Berry, Franco-Moroccan author Leïla Slimani, and South Korean director Hong Sang-soo. Their choices reflected a desire to honor both artistic daring and political resonance.

Although Saturday morning’s power outage momentarily interrupted a screening, organizers reassured that the ceremony was never at risk, thanks to the Palais des Festivals’ independent power supply.

Cannes 2025 concludes on a note of resistance and humanity, with a Palme d’Or that transcends cinema — embodying a courageous act of artistic and political defiance.