The prestigious Cannes Film Festival announced the winners of its 78th edition this Saturday, and the biggest surprise of the night was the crowning of A Simple Accident, by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, as the winner of the coveted Palme d’Or. The film, a co-production between France, Luxembourg, and Iran, marks Panahi’s triumphant return to the international spotlight amid renewed political tensions and increasing restrictions on freedom of expression in his home country.

The Grand Prix went to Sentimental Value, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier, while the Jury Prize was shared between Sirât, by Spanish director Óliver Laxe, and Sound of Falling, by German filmmaker Mascha Schilinski.

Brazil’s Kleber Mendonça Filho was awarded Best Director for The Secret Agent, a film that also earned Wagner Moura the Best Actor award. Actress Nadia Melliti was recognized for her performance in The Little Sister, a French-German production.

The award for Best Screenplay went to Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for Young Mothers, and the jury granted a special award to Resurrection, by Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan.

In the debut feature section, the Caméra d’Or was awarded to The President’s Cake, by Iraqi director Hasan Hadi, while My Father’s Shadow, by British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., received a special mention.

In the short film competition, the top prize went to I’m Glad You’re Dead Now, by Palestinian director Tawfeek Barhom, and a special mention was given to Ali, by Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajeev.

All the winners:

Competencia Oficial

• Palma de Oro
  A simple accident – Jafar Panahi (Francia/Luxemburgo/Irán)

• Gran Premio del Jurado
  Sentimental Value – Joachim Trier (Noruega/Francia/Dinamarca/Alemania)

• Premio del Jurado
  Sirât – Óliver Laxe (España/Francia)
  Sound of Falling – Mascha Schilinski (Alemania)

• Mejor Dirección
  Kleber Mendonça Filho – The Secret Agent (Brasil/Francia)

• Mejor Actriz
  Nadia Melliti – The Little Sister (Francia/Alemania)

• Mejor Actor
  Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent

• Mejor Guion
  Young Mothers – Jean-Pierre y Luc Dardenne (Bélgica/Francia)

• Premio Especial
  Resurrection – Bi Gan (China/Francia)

Premios Especiales

• Cámara de Oro
  The President’s Cake – Hasan Hadi (Irak/EE.UU./Qatar)

• Mención Especial
  My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr (Reino Unido/Irlanda/Nigeria)

Competencia de Cortometrajes

• Palma de Oro al Mejor Cortometraje
  I’m Glad You’re Dead Now – Tawfeek Barhom (Palestina/Francia/Grecia)

• Mención Especial
  Ali – Adnan Al Rajeev (Bangladés/Filipinas)