‘It was just an accident (left) and ‘Secret Agent (right)
The red carpet tumbled, and a final standing ovation echoing through the palais, as the ju-deputy spoke. The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is officially wrapped, with Iranian Auther Jafarpanahi (circle, offside) winning Palmed. But Panahi’s bold political thriller was just one of many outstanding outs celebrated in ceremony where he saw a lot of love for boundary-hitting films and global storytellers.
When it comes to tradition, indie distributor Neon walked away with many big victories, including the best manager, best actor, grand prize and Parme for the sixth year in a row.
This year’s ju umpire, led by French screen icon Juliet Binoce, provided a diverse and incredible slate of honor, ranging from works in the experimental genre to quietly emotional drama.
Panahi is back and wins
Panahi’s Palme Award-winning film – a dark, satirical, deeply personal story of five former prisoners, is unclear whether the man in custody of a former prisoner is the regime torturer he believes in – concluded the landmark’s return to Cannes after the 15-year travel ban was lifted in 2023.
“Let’s put all our differences and issues aside. The most important thing now is our country and its freedom. Let’s join forces. Tell us what clothes we can wear, what we have to do, what we must not do.
His victory is the first Palm de Ort in Iranian film since Abbas Kiarostami’s Cherry Taste shared the award in 1997.
Other major victories: From family dramas to desert raves
Joachim Trier won the Grand Prix for his emotional value. It tells the story of his emotionally layered director casting his estranged daughter in his most personal film. The juju Award was split between Silat, Oliver Lux’s tan, apocalyptic road trip across the Moroccan desert, and the sound of falling sounds, and Mascha Schilinski’s kaleidoscopic home set drama.
Brazilian star Wagner Moura (Narcos) brings back the best actor from Secret Agent, and director Clever Mendonza Fillo also won the best director. Set during Brazil’s military dictatorship, the film follows a man forced to go underground in a desperate attempt to survive.
Best Actress was awarded to her sister Nadia Melliti with a keen coming-of-age story about a Parisian teen who lived up to Hafsia Herzi’s identity and community expectations. The film also insisted on a strange palm.
Dardennes, documentary, dog named Panda
Longtime Cannes favourites Jean Pierre and Luc Dardenne won yet another best script award this time for their younger mother. And in the true festive tradition, the Palm dog – yes, it is real – went to the outstanding panda, the furry panda of remaining love.
Iraqi filmmaker Hasan Hadi made history by winning the Camera de Or for the President’s Cake when a film from Iraq first won the award. Meanwhile, Chinese director Vegan won a special award for Resurrection, an anthology of highly ambitious films that jumps over genres and decades of cinema history.
Even the blackouts throughout the region on the closing day did not undermine the spirit of celebration. Actor John C. Reilly is the head and tail of town? But when he sang Rose in English, he summed up his mood. “Fortunately, the film presented provided us with all the electricity we needed this week.”
This is the complete list of winners of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, accompanied by trailers or clips available.
Main competition
Palme D’Or: It was just an accident – Jafar Panahi Grand Prix: Sentimental Value – Joachim Trier Jury Prize (TIE): SIRAT – SIRAT – OLIVIER LAXE & Sound of Falling – Mascha Schilinski Best Director: Kleber MendonçaFilho – The Secret Agent Best Action: Wagner Moura – Secret Agent: Jeprestrest and Luc Dardenne – Young Mothers Special Award: Resurrection – Bi Gan
Specific respect of the United Nations
Award: The Mystical Eye of the Flamingo – Diego Cespedes Jue Award: Poet – Simon Mesa Soto Best Director: Tarzan & Arab Nasser – Best Actor of Gaza: Frank Dylan – Best Actor of Sea Urchin: Creodiara
Camera d’or
Winner: The President’s Cake – Hasan Hadi Special Reference: My Father’s Shadow – Akinora Davis Jr.
Short film
Palme d’or: I’m glad you’re dead now – Tawfeek Barhom Special Reference: Ali – Adnan al Rajeev
Other awards
Golden Eye (Documentary): Imo – Denium Ma Picaev Special Juju Award (Doc): A Man with 6 Billion Dollars – Eugene Jalekki Queer Palm: Sister – Hafsia Helji Palm: Panda – The Love of the Remaining Love
fipresci prize
Competition: Secret Agents – Clever Mendonsa Phillo Specific Respects of the United Nations: Sea Sea Sea – Harris Dickinson Parallel Section: Dandelion’s Odyssey – Momocoseto
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