Iran jails Cannes-winning director Jafar Panahi in absentia

Iran has handed a one-year prison sentence to acclaimed film-maker Jafar Panahi, accusing him of carrying out “propaganda activities” against the state. The ruling was issued in his absence, and it includes a travel ban for two years along with restrictions preventing him from joining any political or social organisations. His lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed the decision and said an appeal will be filed. He also noted that Panahi is currently outside the country but did not provide further details about the charges.

Panahi, now 65, has long been one of Iran’s most celebrated directors. Earlier this year, he won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival for his film It Was Just an Accident, which follows five former prisoners debating whether to retaliate against a man they believe harmed them in the past. The director recently toured several US cities, including New York and Los Angeles, to promote the film, which is also France’s official submission for the upcoming Academy Awards.

Panahi’s career has been marked by frequent clashes with Iranian authorities. His work has earned international acclaim since his debut feature The White Balloon premiered at Cannes in 1995. In 2010, after showing support for anti-government protests, he was barred from film-making and travel and initially sentenced to six years in prison. Although he served only a short time, he continued creating films under restrictions, including the documentary This Is Not a Film, famously smuggled to Cannes on a USB drive hidden inside a cake.