Jafar Panahi dedicated his Gotham Award for Best Screenplay for It Was Just An Accident “to independent filmmakers in Iran and around the world” the same day the Iranian director was sentenced in absentia earlier today to one year in prison and a two-year travel ban .

His Cannes Palme d’Or-winning drama It Was Just An Accident had three Gotham Award nominations tonight with Original Screenplay the first up at the New York City ceremony. Panahi shortly after won for Best International Feature. He was also nominated for Best Director.

He has been on the awards season trail with the film, which is France’s entry to the 2026 Oscars and was released theatrically in the U.S. in October by Neon. He recently started a tour of major cities including LA, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago

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