Cannes’ top honor for Best Feature Film was awarded Saturday to Un simple accident, a politically charged Iranian drama co-produced by Luxembourg’s Bidibul Productions and directed by acclaimed dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi.

The Palme d’Or, the top prize for Best Feature Film at the Cannes Film Festival, was awarded to Un simple accident, a Luxembourgish co-production directed by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. The film, which tackles the sensitive issue of political prisoners and offers a sharp critique of Iran’s regime, triumphed over 21 other contenders.

Panahi, a longtime critic of the Iranian government, has faced repeated imprisonment and bans on filmmaking and international travel. His latest work, co-produced by Luxembourg’s Bidibul Productions, received an 8-minute standing ovation during its screening earlier this week and was widely seen as a frontrunner for the Palme d’Or, officially awarded on Saturday evening.

The Grand Prix, the festival’s second-most prestigious award, went to Joachim Trier’s Norwegian drama Sentimental Value, starring Elle Fanning and Stellan Skarsgård.

This year’s edition of the renowned festival attracted more than 2,900 film submissions from over 150 countries, showcasing a remarkable diversity of cinematic voices.

Luxembourg also made its presence felt in other sections of the festival. In the “Séance Spéciale” category, Marcel et Monsieur Pagnol, an animated feature by French director Sylvain Chomet and co-produced by Bidibul Productions, was screened to acclaim.

In the “Un Certain Regard” category, the jury awarded La misteriosa mirada del flamenco by Chilean director Diego Céspedes, with the prize already presented on Friday evening. Luxembourg was also involved in this section through the French film Love Me Tender, directed by Anna Cazenave Cambet and starring Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps, who also served as co-producer through Victoria Productions.

Luxembourg’s strong showing at Cannes continues a growing trend of international recognition. At last year’s festival, the Grand Prix was awarded to another Luxembourgish co-production, All We Imagine as Light. You watch the movie until 3 June on RTL Play.

Overview of the award winners

Palme d'Or: "Un simple accident" by Jafar Panahi
Grand Prix: "Sentimental Value" by Joachim Trier
Jury Award: "Sirat" by Olivier Laxe and "Sound of Falling" by Mascha Schilinski
Best Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho for "L'agent secret"
Best Screenplay: Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne for "Jeunes mères"
Best Actress: Nadia Melliti for "La Petite Dernière" by Hafsia Herzi
Best Actor: Wagner Moura for "L'agent secret" by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Special Prize: "Ressurrection" by Bi Gan