From prison to the Palme d'Or: Iran's Jafar Panahi on why every film is worth the risk

Palme d’Or winner hits global cinemas, France backs it for 2026 Oscars

After winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May, It Was Just an Accident, directed by the Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, was released in cinemas worldwide on Wednesday. Produced in secret and co-financed by France, the film was inspired by his time in prison. It has been selected as France’s official submission for Best International Feature at the 2026 Oscars.

How a Prison Sentence Helped an Iranian Director Win at Cannes

It Was Just an Accident was a hit at the film festival; its creator says he has his incarceration to thank.

Jafar Panahi, filmmaker: 'To shoot 'It Was Just an Accident,' all of us with our equipment fit into two cars'

Interviewed in Paris just before the release of his film, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the Iranian director discussed the filming conditions and the threats faced by his team.

From prison to the Palme d'Or: Iran's Jafar Panahi on why every film is worth the risk

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been jailed, gone on hunger strike and even sold his house to pay bail – all for the right to make movies. After winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes and being selected to represent France at the Oscars, he's now releasing his new film "It Was Just an Accident", inspired by his own imprisonment. In this interview, Panahi explains to Eve Jackson why every film is worth the risk.