Jafar Panahi Named Asian Filmmaker Of Year At Busan Festival

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been named the Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in recognition of his profound impact on Asian cinema and culture. Despite facing severe restrictions including arrests, detention, travel bans, and an official ban on filmmaking in Iran, Panahi continues to create films covertly and submit them to international festivals. His recent film, It Was Just an Accident, won the Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, adding to his previous major festival wins including the Golden Lion at Venice and the Golden Bear at Berlin. Panahi’s films explore themes of individual freedom and resistance under political repression, making him a symbol of artistic courage and a witness to contemporary Iranian society. He accepted the award on behalf of all creators who continue to work under pressure, highlighting that cinema transcends borders and limitations. The award will be presented at the festival’s opening ceremony on September 17, during the event running from September 17 to 26 in Busan, South Korea.