After Receiving Prison Sentence In His Home Country, Director Jafar Panahi Plans To Return To Iran After Awards Season

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I was so saddened to hear about the new sentence handed down to the brilliant filmmaker in Iran. Despite this, he’s incredibly dedicated to his current Oscar campaign and has confirmed he plans to return home once that’s finished. It’s just awful remembering his previous struggles – being banned from filmmaking and sentenced to six years back in 2010, even though he only served a few months before being released. He’s a true artist, and I really admire his resilience.

Even after being banned from filmmaking for 20 years, Jafar Panahi continued to make films in Iran, secretly getting them out of the country. He was arrested in 2022 and imprisoned for seven months, eventually being released after protesting with a hunger strike. This week, he received a one-year prison sentence from an Iranian court – while he was not present – for allegedly spreading propaganda against the government.

Speaking at the Marrakech Film Festival in Morocco, Panahi explained that he’s been intensely focused on his Oscar campaign for more than three months. He added that despite recent events, he’s determined to complete the campaign and return to Iran as quickly as possible. Panahi divides his time between Iran and France, where he collaborates with French film studios.

Panahi stated he has only one passport – the passport of his country, which he intends to keep. He also explained that despite having the chance, he never wanted to leave Iran or seek refuge in another country, even during difficult times.

The director believes that one’s homeland is always the best place to live, despite any challenges it may face. He personally feels Iran is where he finds purpose, strength, and the ability to create, viewing the current difficulties as temporary and common to all societies. His lawyer, Mostafa Nili, stated that they are appealing the decision.

Jafar Panahi has been sentenced to a two-year travel ban and is prohibited from participating in any political or social organizations. His films, including the 2000 film The Circle and the 2015 film Taxi, have often faced opposition from the Iranian government. His latest film, It Was Just an Accident, released in 2025, centers around a group of former Iranian political prisoners who believe they’ve located the man responsible for their torture.

After winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes – the festival’s highest honor, previously awarded to Anora – It Was Just an Accident is expected to be a strong contender at the Academy Awards. It’s considered a likely nominee for Best Picture in 2026 and is almost certain to be France’s submission for Best International Feature, though Sentimental Value is seen as its main competition.

At the end of his time in Morocco, filmmaker Jafar Panahi offered advice to aspiring directors. He explained that he’s chosen to create films based on his own convictions, even if they aren’t approved by the government. He stated, “If you’re determined to be one of the few who make what they believe in, you won’t be controlled by anyone.” Despite knowing his work isn’t favored by authorities, he affirmed his commitment to returning to his home country.

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2025-12-04 23:10