Power Outage may have submerged French Riviera into the dark on the last day of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, but Palais still managed to give an electric finale. Iranian filmmaker Jaffer Panahi took Palme D’Or home for his absurd drama, It was just an accidentMarking both an individual and political victory for his creator, but also for the US distributor neon, now six for the top prize of Cannes.
This victory indicates a powerful return to Panahi, which was under the 20 -year film production ban until the Iranian government finally trusted. It was just an accident His first film has been made with legal approval in more than a decade. In this, the Panahi investigates the subjects of justice and trauma through five former prisoners, believing that they have been found by the prosecutor, who once tortured them, who are informed by the real conversations, Panahi did during his imprisonment.
“This Palme de’ar is not just for me,” Panahi said in a statement, “But for every artist who dare to tell the truth in power … The most important thing is that our country and our country have freedom. Let’s reach this moment, together, when anyone dare to say what we should wear or not.”
The acquisition of the film Midway’s Nonon through the festival now makes it a distributor of six consecutive consecutive consecutively winners – Parasite, Tetan, Gloom, Anatomy, AnoraAnd now It was just an accidentThe feat has extended the indie outfit to a close position on Cruset and has immediately ranked the film as an Oscar contender, especially in international convenience and directors categories.
But Panahi was not only a filmmaker who left the ear with speed. Jochim Trear sentimental value Grand Prix was taken home, effectively the runner-up award. A family drama about a filmmaker father is reconcising with her actress daughter by casting her most personal film in her most personal film, the Trear described her work as “an alternative language of integration” in a moving acceptance speech.
Trear, whose The worst person in the world The first Oscar was noisy in 2022, it could get itself back in the award conversation – and this time with a shot on the best picture, especially looking at Neon’s support and increasing openness of the academy for international stories.
The Jury Award was divided between the two most adventurous entries of the competition: Olivier Lax SiratA Atma-Khoj Road film, and Masha Shilinsky Falling soundAn ambitious century-spread film that praised critics. The possibility of shared victory represents praise of this year’s jury for formal experiment, something that cannot directly translate into an Oscar, although both films can quote very well in categories such as international convenience or screenplay.
Cleber Mendonka went to Filho for Best Director secret agentA political thriller set during Brazilian military dictatorship. Its chief, Wagner Maura also awarded the Best Actor Award for his role as a father on the run. Considering the recent academy of international political plays I’m still here, field of interest And All Quiet on the Western Front, secret agent Many categories can mount a campaign, especially if Brazil chooses it as its official Oscar entry, then the fresh of its victory from last year.
In a breakout performance, Nadia Melity won for the best actress Chhoti sistersA drama of an upcoming age who also took the queue’s palm home. Directed by Hafsia Zarzy, the film’s dual win can be reflected Emilia PerezWhich started in ear last year before creating waves (and disputes) during the award season.
Screen Awards Stalwarts went to Jean-Pierre and Luke Dorden Young motherTeen pregnancy discovery. While the dedane is early royalty, the screenplay awards can often be a bellweather for Oscar enrollment, especially in the original screenplay category.
Other notable awards included Prix Spicial for the Science-Fi epic of BI Gain, Get up And camera for Hasan Hadi D’Or President’s cakeA historical victory as the first Iraqi film, which was given in Cannes. The characteristic of Hadi about a useless baker is suddenly elected President during the war, already distributors have drawn interest and if Iraq presents it it can be a dark horse in the international race.
Of the 21 films in the competition, many notable names went home empty-handed-Ves Anderson (Fonisian plan), Julia Ducornaau (Alpha), And ari ester (EdingtonBut other pics of Neon perform better: Beyond It was just an accidentThe company also supported sentimental value, SiratAnd secret agent – All of which earned major awards, strengthened its amazing domination in Cannes.
The academy itself continues to deepen its relations with the festival. Its private networking mixer has become an unexpected campaign launchpad during the ear. With the last three Palame D’Or – Gloom, AnatomyAnd Anora – All the best pictures became nominated people, ears clearly returned as a prominent precursor in the Oscar’s conversation.
If history is an indicator, It was just an accident The 2026 may be very well in the forefront of the prize race. And neon with steering to the ship, it would not be surprising if it is another palame-to-oscar trajectory.
2024 Complete list of ear winners:
Palame de’ar, It was just an accidentJaffer Panahi
Grand Prix, sentimental valueJochim Trear
Best director: Claber Mendonka Filho, secret agent
best Actor: Wagner Maura, secret agent
best Actress: Nadia Melti, Chhoti sisters
Jury prize (tie), SiratOlivier lax and Falling soundMascha Shilinsky
Prix spail, Get upB gun
Best screenplay, Young motherJean-Pierre and Luke Dorden
Camera d’or, President’s cakeHassan Hadi
Camera D’Or Special Mention, My father’s shadowAkinola Davis Jr.
Quir Palm, Chhoti sistersHafsia Zarzi
Palme Dog: Panda, The love that lives
Published – May 25, 2025 12:05 AM IST