The 78th Cannes Film Festival has come to its most glorious moment with the winners finally announced at Saturday’s closing ceremony – despite a an unexpected setback.

A temporary power outage, believed to be the result of sabotage, briefly stalled the closing ceremony. 

However, the interruption did little to dampen the festival’s spirit, as the celebration managed to resume in time to honour cinematic excellence. 

French actor Laurent Lafitte hosted the closing ceremonies, with Jury President Juliette Binoche and Cate Blanchett presenting the Palme d’Or.

Taking home the festival’s highest honour, was acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi for It Was Just an Accident. 

The searing revenge drama, inspired by Panahi’s own experiences with political imprisonment, follows a group of former inmates as they confront the man responsible for their suffering. 

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The 78th Cannes Film Festival has come to its most glorious moment with the winners finally announced at Saturday’s closing ceremony (pictured Jury President Juliette Binoche and Cate Blanchett present the Palme d’Or Award)

Taking home the festival’s highest honour, was acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi for It Was Just an Accident

While on stage, Panahi said what mattered most was the future of his country. 

He said: ‘Let us join forces. No-one should tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, or what we should or shouldn’t do.’

Meanwhile, the Grand Prix was awarded to Norwegian director Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value. 

A reflective and intimate portrayal of familial bonds and emotional reckoning, the film was praised for its delicate balance of melancholy and warmth.

Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho received the Best Director accolade for his gripping political thriller The Secret Agent. 

Set during the final years of Brazil’s military dictatorship, the film explores themes of surveillance, resistance, and loyalty. 

The lead role, played by Wagner Moura, also earned him the Best Actor award, marking a standout performance that captivated audiences and critics alike.

The festival also recognised rising talent, with Nadia Melliti named Best Actress for her role in La Peтιтe Dernière (The Little Sister). 

Meanwhile, the Grand Prix was awarded to Norwegian director Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value

Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho received the Best Director accolade for his gripping political thriller The Secret Agent

The festival also recognised rising talent, with Nadia Melliti named Best Actress for her role in La Peтιтe Dernière (The Little Sister)

Cat looked incredible at the ceremony in a black gown 

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Her portrayal of a young woman navigating questions of idenтιтy, heritage, and independence in modern-day Paris was hailed as a breakout performance. 

The film also received the Queer Palm, further cementing its status as one of the year’s most impactful entries.

In a rare decision, the Jury Prize was shared between two films. 

Oliver Laxe’s Sirat, a poignant account of a father’s desperate search for his missing daughter in Morocco, shared the honour with The Sound of Falling, a meditative German drama by Mascha Schilinski that explores grief and renewal with quiet power.

Veteran auteurs Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne added to their long list of accolades with the Best Screenplay award for Young Mothers. 

Their script, marked by the Dardennes’ signature realism and humanity, delves into the lives of teenage mothers facing societal and personal challenges.

Elsewhere, a Special Prize was presented to Chinese director Bi Gan for Resurrection. 

The film’s dreamlike visuals and nonlinear narrative earned praise for pushing the boundaries of cinematic form.

Camera d’Or went to Hᴀssan Hadi for The President’s Cake, a sharp political satire that marks a promising debut. 

A Special Mention in the same category was given to Akinola Davies Jr for My Father’s Shadow, a deeply personal exploration of heritage, memory, and generational healing.

Short Film Palme d’Or was awarded to Tawfeek Barhom for I’m Glad You’re ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Now, a darkly poetic meditation on grief and release. 

A Special Mention was given to Adnan Al Rajeev for Ali, praised for its emotional clarity and understated power.

Cannes Film Festival 2025 winners

Palme d’Or – Jafar Panahi, It Was Just an Accident

Grand Prix – Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

Best Actress – Nadia Melliti, La Peтιтe Dernière

Best Director – Kleber Mendonça Filho, The Secret Agent

Jury Prize – Tie: Oliver Laxe, Sirat dir. Mascha Schilinski, The Sound of Falling

Best Screenplay – Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, Young Mothers

Best Actor – Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent

Special Prize – Bi Gan, Resurrection

Camera d’Or – Hᴀssan Hadi, The President’s Cake

Special Mention, Camera d’Or – Akinola Davies Jr, My Father’s Shadow

Short Film Palme d’Or – Tawfeek Barhom, I’m Glad You’re ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Now

Special Mention, Short Film – Adnan AI Rajeev, Ali