Cannes: Iranian Director of Azerbaijani origin, Jafar Panahi, has been awarded the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes International Film Festival for his film ‘A Simple Incident.’ Notably, this marks Jafar Panahi’s first participation in the Cannes International Film Festival in 15 years.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Jafar Panahi, known for his bold and socially charged films, has been repeatedly arrested and banned from filmmaking by the Iranian government since 2009, with authorities labeling his work as subversive. Despite these restrictions, Panahi competed for the top prize at this year’s Cannes International Film Festival with his new film ‘A Simple Incident.’

The director revealed that he used humor in the film to highlight injustice, and said that the time he spent in prison helped enrich the story. A source close to the director, who requested anonymity, noted that the film was shot in secret and was not funded by the state.