Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or Winner ‘It Was Just An Accident’ Takes Top Prize at Sydney Film Festival

Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or Winner ‘It Was Just An Accident’ Takes Top Prize at Sydney Film Festival

The 72nd Sydney Film Festival has concluded with Iranian director Jafar Panahi claiming the event’s top honor, taking home the Sydney Film Prize for “It Was Just An Accident.” The film previously won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. The Sydney win nets Panahi AUD$60,000 ($38,888) for what the competition jury described as an “audacious, cutting-edge […]

Jafar Panahi’s 'It Was Just an Accident' awarded $60,000 Sydney Film Prize - IF Magazine

Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident was awarded the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize on Sunday night, with the jury noting the importance of filmmakers being given the freedom to express what they see in “these times of great conflict and uncertainty”. The Iranian director was unveiled as a surprise guest at the opening of this year’s Sydney Film Festival (SFF), where his 2025 Palme d’Or-winning film was screening in competition, and a retrospective…

Just as Cannes Did, Sydney Film Festival Has Awarded Its Major 2025 Prize to Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident'

Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has won the 2025 Sydney Film Prize for 'It Was Just an Accident'. Sometimes, life delivers the perfect script. At...