CANNES, France — Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi took home the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 78th Festival de Cannes for his film Un Simple Accident, in a ceremony that celebrated bold storytelling and global cinema.
This year’s jury, led by acclaimed French actress Juliette Binoche, included a diverse panel of international artists such as Halle Berry, Payal Kapadia, and Hong Sangsoo, among others. The jury awarded prizes across a powerful lineup of 22 films competing in the main selection.
Major Winners:
- Grand Prix: Affeksjonsverdi (Sentimental Value) by Joachim Trier
- Joint Jury Prize: Sirât by Oliver Laxe and Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski
- Best Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho for O Agente Secreto (The Secret Agent)
- Best Screenplay: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for Jeunes Mères
- Best Actress: Nadia Melliti in La Petite Dernière by Hafsia Herzi
- Best Actor: Wagner Moura in O Agente Secreto
- Special Prize: Kuang Ye Shi Dai (Resurrection) by Bi Gan
In the Short Film category, Tawfeek Barhom won the Palme d’Or for I’m Glad You’re Dead Now, while Adnan Al Rajeev received a Special Mention for Ali.
Un Certain Regard, a section that honors unique voices and daring works, awarded its top prize to La Misteriosa Mirada del Flamenco by Diego Céspedes. The Nasser brothers, Arab and Tarzan, won Best Directing for Once Upon a Time in Gaza, while Frank Dillane and Cleo Diára earned acting honors.
The Caméra d’Or for best first feature went to The President’s Cake by Hasan Hadi, and Akinola Davies Jr received a Special Mention in Directors’ Fortnight for My Father’s Shadow.
In the La Cinef student film section, South Korea’s Heo Gayoung won First Prize for First Summer.
Technical Excellence Recognized:
- CST Award for Best Artist-Technician: Ruben Impens (Director of Photography) and Stéphane Thiébaut (Mixer) for Alpha by Julia Ducournau.
- Best Young Female Film Technician: Éponine Momenceau, Director of Photography for Connemara by Alex Lutz.
The 78th Cannes Festival showcased a powerful mix of emotion, politics, innovation, and art, underscoring cinema’s enduring role in shaping culture across borders.