The Cannes Film Festival’s closing day was marked by a massive five-hour regional power outage, caused by suspected sabotage, affecting over 160,000 households. Restaurants and public spaces were forced to close, and screenings were briefly disrupted.
However, power was restored just in time for the final ceremony. One screening of “Sirât” was interrupted, but emergency power allowed it to resume, and key events, including the press conference for “The Mastermind,” continued without major disruption.
Panahi’s Victory, Global Voices Shine, and Surprises Mark Cannes Awards Ceremony Highlights
Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or for “It Was Just an Accident”, a covertly filmed political thriller. Panahi, once banned from filmmaking in Iran, received a standing ovation at the premiere and later roaring applause at the awards ceremony.
His powerful acceptance speech called for unity and freedom for Iranians, making the win not only a cinematic milestone but also a political statement. Jury president Juliette Binoche and presenter Cate Blanchett praised the film’s courage and message.
Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent” won Best Director and Best Actor for Wagner Moura, thanks to its unique, satirical take on life under dictatorship. Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” received the Grand Prix, while the Jury Prize was shared by Óliver Laxe’s “Sirât” and Mascha Schilinski’s “Sound of Falling.” The event also featured a surprise musical performance by actor John C. Reilly, adding an unexpected, light-hearted touch to the ceremony.
Celebrating Global Voices and Bold Visions Amid Challenges and Artistic Triumphs at Cannes
This year’s festival honored a broad range of voices, from established auteurs to rising filmmakers. The Camera d’Or went to Hasan Hadi’s “The President’s Cake,” and the Queer Palm to Hafsia Herzi’s “The Little Sister.” Awards also highlighted strong performances, such as Nadia Melliti’s Best Actress win and Bi Gan’s “Resurrection” receiving a special prize. The Un Certain Regard and Critics’ Week sections emphasized bold, innovative cinema, with prizes going to diverse and emerging storytellers.
Despite the blackout and political overtones, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival ended on a hopeful note, showcasing cinema’s power to resist, inspire, and unite. With Panahi’s historic win, attention now turns to the Oscars and the global impact of this year’s selections. The festival jury, led by Juliette Binoche and including international artists, deliberated over 22 competition films, ultimately recognizing work that blends artistic innovation with urgent political narratives.
Cannes 2025: Award Winners Table
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Palme d’Or | Jafar Panahi | It Was Just an Accident |
| Grand Prix | Joachim Trier | Sentimental Value |
| Joint Jury Prize | Óliver Laxe / Mascha Schilinski | Sirât / Sound of Falling |
| Best Director | Kleber Mendonça Filho | The Secret Agent |
| Best Screenplay | Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne | The Young Mother’s Home |
| Best Actor | Wagner Moura | The Secret Agent |
| Best Actress | Nadia Melliti | The Little Sister |
| Special Award | Bi Gan | Resurrection |
| Camera d’Or | Hasan Hadi | The President’s Cake |
| Short Film Palme d’Or | Tawfeek Barhom | I’m Glad You’re Dead Now |
| Golden Eye (Doc) | Déni Oumar Pitsaev | Imago |
| Queer Palm | Hafsia Herzi | The Little Sister |
| FIPRESCI (Competition) | Kleber Mendonça Filho | The Secret Agent |
| Un Certain Regard Award | Diego Céspedes | The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo |
| Critics’ Week Grand Prize | Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke | A Useful Ghost |
| Palm Dog | Panda | The Love That Remains |
