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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
Lifestyle
Ollia Horton

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

Iranian film director and screenwriter Jafar Panahi won Asian Filmmaker of the Year for his "It Was Just an Accident" at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), South Korea, 18 September, 2025. AFP - JUNG YEON-JE

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.

Watching his latest film, It Was Just an Accident, screened for the first time at Cannes before an international audience, Jafar Panahi was overcome with tears of joy.

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