Cannes 2025: a simple Jafar Panahi accident wins the golden palm [palmarès complet]

Kleber Mendonça’s secret agent Filho is the other big winner of the evening, with two prizes.

The jury of the 78th Cannes Film Festivalchaired by Juliette Binoche, made her verdict. 22 films were in competition this year, and it is A simple accident from Jafar Panahi who received the Palme d’Or. A strong award for a great film directed by a committed Iranian filmmaker, who shot this feature film without official authorization from his government.

PANAHI A MY IN SCèNE A simple accident After being imprisoned for 7 months, between 2022 and 2023. It was the first time that he could go to the Croisette in 22 years, and he stayed on stage for a long time to deliver a sober but militant speech: “The most important thing is our country and the freedom of our country. Let us arrive at this moment, together, when no one dares to say what we have to wear, what we should do or not.“

A golden palm for history: “A simple accident” by Jafar Panahi wins the supreme award! #cannes2025 pic.twitter.com/N4687LJM8i

– France.tv cinema (@francetvcinema) May 24, 2025

The list was also marked by the two prizes given to another resolutely political work, L’Agent secret : the interpretation price for Wagner Moura (which was absent) and the price of staging for Kleber Mendonça Filho. As Joachim Trierwho was given the Grand Prix to Sentimental valuethe Brazilian Ciénaste stressed the importance of the festival, using the same qualifier “Cinema cathedral“.

Another highlight of the ceremony led by Laurent Lafitte was the female interpretation prize, given to Nadia Mellitithe revelation of The little lastall in restraint (she is her director, Hafsia Herziwho cried for her in the room). Syrup d’Oliver laxe et Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski shared the jury prize, and that of the scenario returned to Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for Young people. Finally, the jury gave a special prize to Resurrection de Bi Gan.

What an emotion!

Nadia Melliti wins the female interpretation prize for “the last one”, under the eyes of director Hafsia Herzi! #cannes2025 pic.twitter.com/8pvXaqmmA7

– France.tv cinema (@francetvcinema) May 24, 2025

The complete list of the 78th Cannes Festival

Golden palm of the short film

I’m Glad You’re Dead Now The Tawfeek Barhom

Special mention of the jury for Ali D’dnan Al Rajeev

Golden Camera

The President’s cake too

Special mention of the jury for My father’s shadow by Akinola Davies Jr.

Special price

Resurrection de Bi Gan

Male interpretation price

Wagner Moura for L’Agent secret

Scenario prize

Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for Young people

Jury prize

Syrup d’Oliver laxe et Sound of Falling The Mascha Schilinski

Staging price

Kleber Mendonça Filho pour L’Agent secret

Female interpretation

Nadia melliti for The little last

The Grand Prix

Sentimal Value The Joachim Trier

Palme d’or

A simple accident de jafar panhi