Neon, the boutique U.S. distributor renowned for its discerning eye, has achieved a remarkable sixth consecutive Palme d’Or victory at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This year’s top honor was awarded to Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi for his compelling political thriller, It Was Just an Accident. The film, inspired by Panahi’s own experiences with imprisonment and censorship in Iran, delves into the psychological aftermath faced by former detainees confronting their past tormentor.
Neon’s unprecedented winning streak at Cannes began in 2019 with Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, a darkly comedic thriller that later made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. This was followed by Julia Ducournau’s Titane in 2021, a provocative body horror film; Ruben Östlund’s Triangle of Sadness in 2022, a satirical take on class and privilege; Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall in 2023, a gripping courtroom drama; and Sean Baker’s Anora in 2024, a raw narrative about a Brooklyn sex worker entangled with a Russian oligarch’s son.
With It Was Just an Accident, Neon continues its legacy of championing bold, socially relevant cinema. The film’s success at Cannes not only highlights Panahi’s indomitable spirit but also reaffirms Neon’s status as a curator of groundbreaking films that challenge and captivate global audiences.
