All Winners at the 2025 78th Cannes Film Festival

The 78th Cannes Film Festival concluded with Iranian director Jafar Panahi receiving the Palme d’Or for It Was Just an Accident. This marked his return to the festival after a 15-year travel ban was lifted in 2023.

The film, a satirical drama inspired by stories Panahi heard in Evin Prison, critiques the Iranian regime and centers on a group seeking justice for past torture.

Celebrating Global Cinema at Cannes Film Festival

The Grand Prix was awarded to Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, a family drama starring Elle Fanning. The Jury Prize was shared between Oliver Laxe’s Sirât and Mascha Schilinski’s Sound of Falling, both recognized for their innovative storytelling. Kleber Mendonça Filho won Best Director for The Secret Agent, a political thriller set in 1970s Brazil, which also earned Wagner Moura the Best Actor award. Nadia Melliti received Best Actress for her role in The Little Sister, portraying a Muslim woman grappling with her sexual identity.

Recognizing Emerging Talent

The festival also highlighted emerging voices in cinema. Bi Gan’s Resurrection received a Special Prize for its genre-blending cinematic homage. In the Un Certain Regard section, Diego Céspedes’s La Misteriosa Mirada Del Flamenco won the top prize, while Simón Mesa Soto’s Un Poeta took the Jury Prize.

Arab & Tarzan Nasser secured Best Directing for Once Upon a Time in Gaza. Acting awards in this section went to Frank Dillane and Cleo Diára, with Best Screenplay awarded to Harry Lighton’s Pillion.

Honoring Technical Excellence

Technical achievements were also recognized. The CST Award for Best Artist-Technician was presented to Ruben Impens, director of photography, and Stéphane Thiébaut, mixer of Alpha, directed by Julia Ducournau. Moreover, the CST Award for Best Young Female Film Technician went to Éponine Momenceau, director of photography of Connemara, directed by Alex Lutz.

A Festival of Inclusivity and Innovation

Under the leadership of jury president Juliette Binoche, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival showcased a commitment to inclusivity and innovation. The diverse jury included international stars and filmmakers such as Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, and Carlos Reygadas. Their selections highlighted films that pushed boundaries and addressed pressing social issues, reaffirming Cannes’ role as a platform for bold and diverse storytelling.

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