The Palme d’or is the most prestigious prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and takes place every May in France. It is widely regarded as one of the cornerstones of the film industry, spotlighting films from multiple languages.

2025 Palme d’or Winner – It Was Just an Accident

(Jafar Panahi) Iran

It Was Just an Accident (2025) is a hard-hitting drama directed by Iranian dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi. Framed with the intensity of Death and the Maiden, the film follows a former political prisoner who, after identifying a one-legged man he believes to be his torturer, impulsively kidnaps him—setting off a fraught moral dilemma across intimate, tension-filled encounters. The story unfolds as an exploration of trauma, justice, and forgiveness, grounded in Panahi’s real-life experience of imprisonment and censorship.

Shot with stark realism and psychological depth, the film resonates as both a personal and political statement. It earned a standing ovation at Cannes and marks the second-ever Palme d’Or for an Iranian film, following Taste of Cherry in 1997. Jury President Juliette Binoche described it as a gripping blend of political struggle and human resilience. In his acceptance speech, Panahi dedicated the award to the Iranian people, emphasizing freedom and defiance under authoritarianism.

Themes of retribution, memory, and moral ambiguity are woven through the dialogue and mis-en-scène, as Panahi revisits his own past under a 15-year filmmaking ban and multiple imprisonments. His win completes a rare “European Trifecta” of top prizes at the three major festivals—Berlin, Venice, and now Cannes. The film is set to be distributed by Neon, extending their streak of Palme d’Or acquisitions to six.

Previous Winners of the Palme d’or Prize

2024 Palme d’or Winner – Anora

(Sean Baker) United States

Anora (2024) is an American drama directed by Sean Baker. Set in Brooklyn, it follows Anora, a young sex worker who finds herself unexpectedly swept into a whirlwind romance with the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. After a sudden marriage in Las Vegas, her life becomes entangled with his family’s power, wealth, and disapproval, leading to a series of escalating tensions. The film combines Baker’s signature realism with sharp humor and emotional depth, offering a nuanced exploration of class, agency, and survival in modern America.

2023 Palme d’or Winner – Anatomy of a Fall

(Justine Triet) France

“Anatomy of a Fall” (2023) is a French courtroom drama directed by Justine Triet. It follows a woman who is put on trial for the murder of her husband, with the case’s complexity unraveling through the investigation and testimonies, revealing deep insights into their tumultuous relationship and the subjective nature of truth.

2022 Palme d’or Winner – Triangle of Sadness

(Ruben Östlund) Sweden

“Triangle of Sadness” (2022) is a Swedish satirical black comedy film directed by Ruben Östlund. It critiques the world of fashion and wealth, centering on a fashion model couple who find themselves on a luxury cruise with wealthy passengers, leading to a series of unexpected and darkly humorous events that expose the absurdities of their social status.

2021 Palme d’or Winner – Titane

(Julia Ducournau) France

“Titane” (2021) is a French body horror film directed by Julia Ducournau, revolving around a woman who, after a series of violent events, forms a bizarre bond with a fire captain while grappling with her own transformative, metallic affliction. The film is known for its shocking narrative and visceral exploration of identity and human connection.

2020 Palme d’or Winner – CatDog

(Ashmita Guha Neogi) India

A captivating exploration of the complexities of human-animal relationships, set in the heart of India.

2019 Palme d’or Winner – Parasite

(Bong Joon-Ho) South Korea

A genre-defying masterpiece that tells the gripping story of two families from different social classes whose lives become entangled in a web of dark secrets.

2018 Palme d’or Winner – Shoplifters

(Hirokazu Kore-eda) Japan

A touching portrayal of an unconventional family struggling to survive in the margins of society, offering a heartfelt exploration of love, belonging, and the bonds that tie us together.

2017 Palme d’or Winner – The Square

(Ruben Östlund) Sweden

A satirical take on the world of contemporary art and human behavior, set in the backdrop of the Swedish art scene, humorously dissecting societal norms and our desire for a sense of order in an increasingly chaotic world.

2016 Palme d’or Winner – I, Daniel Blake

(Ken Loach) United Kingdom

A poignant drama that sheds light on the struggles of a middle-aged carpenter navigating the complexities of the British welfare system.

2015 Palme d’or Winner – Dheepan

(Jacques Audiard) France

A compelling story of a Sri Lankan Tamil warrior who, seeking refuge in France, struggles to rebuild his life and find a sense of belonging.

2014 Palme d’or Winner – Winter Sleep

(Kış Uykusu Nuri Bilge) Ceylan Turkey

A contemplative masterpiece that delves into the complexities of human relationships, set against the backdrop of the Turkish countryside during the winter.

2013 Palme d’or Winner – Blue is the Warmest Color

(Abdellatif Kechiche) France, Tunisia

An intimate and emotionally charged love story between two young women, charting their passionate relationship from adolescence to adulthood, portrayed in an ambitiously immersive way.

“While there have been plenty of movie romances not unlike this, there’s never been one told in such an ambitiously immersive way. -Roger Ebert

2012 Palme d’or Winner – Amour

(Michael Haneke) – Austria, France, Germany

A poignant and moving exploration of an elderly couple’s enduring love as they face the challenges of aging and the inevitable arrival of death.

2011 Palme d’or Winner – The Tree of Life

(Terrence Malick) – USA

A visually stunning and contemplative film that weaves the story of a Texan family in the 1950s with cosmic and spiritual themes, offering a meditative exploration of life’s mysteries.

2010 Palme d’or Winner – Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

(Apichatpong Weerasethakul) – Thailand, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands

A poetic and mystical journey into the Thai countryside, as a man reflects on his past lives and encounters mysterious entities.

2009 Palme d’or Winner – The White Ribbon

(Michael Haneke) – Austria, Germany, France, Italy

A chilling and enigmatic exploration of a small German village on the eve of World War I, where a series of disturbing events reveals a community marked by repression and cruelty.

2008: “The Class”

(Laurent Cantet) – France

A compelling and authentic portrayal of a French high school and the interactions between a dedicated teacher and his diverse group of students, reflecting the challenges and dynamics of modern education.

2007 Palme d’or Winner – 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

(Cristian Mungiu) – Romania, Belgium

A gripping and emotionally charged drama that takes place in 1980s Romania, as two friends navigate the complex and dangerous world of illegal abortion during a repressive regime.

2006 Palme d’or Winner – The Wind That Shakes the Barley

(Ken Loach) – United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Greece

A powerful and historically grounded story of two Irish brothers who become involved in the struggle for independence against British rule during the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Civil War.

2005 Palme d’or Winner – The Child

(Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne) – Belgium, France

A raw and intimate portrayal of a young woman’s struggles to escape poverty and secure a job, showcasing the challenges she faces as she navigates the world of work and survival.

2004 Palme d’or Winner – Fahrenheit 9/11

(Michael Moore) – USA

A politically charged documentary that critically examines the George W. Bush administration and the events surrounding the 2000 U.S. presidential election and the subsequent War on Terror.

2003 Palme d’or Winner – Elephant

(Gus Van Sant) – USA

A haunting and visually stunning exploration of a high school’s daily routine, ultimately leading to a tragic and violent event inspired by the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.

2002 Palme d’or Winner – The Pianist

(Roman Polanski) – France, Poland, Germany, United Kingdom

A powerful and harrowing tale of survival during the Holocaust, “The Pianist” follows the journey of a Jewish pianist in Nazi-occupied Warsaw.

2001 Palme d’or Winner – The Son’s Room

(Nanni Moretti) – Italy, France

A tender and heartrending exploration of a family’s grief and healing process following the sudden death of their son, as they grapple with profound emotions and unanswered questions.

2000 Palme d’or Winner – Dancer in the Dark

(Lars von Trier) – Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland

A haunting and emotionally charged musical drama, “Dancer in the Dark” follows the tragic story of a Czech immigrant who is going blind and dreams of providing a better life for her son.

1999 Palme d’or Winner – Rosetta

(Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne) – Belgium, France

A raw and intimate portrayal of a young woman’s struggles to escape poverty and secure a job, showcasing the challenges she faces as she navigates the world of work and survival.

1998 Palme d’or Winner – Eternity and a Day

(Theo Angelopoulos) – Greece, France, Italy, Germany, Spain

A poetic and visually stunning journey through time, as a terminally ill writer reflects on his life and encounters a young refugee, leading to profound insights.

1997 Palme d’or Winner – Taste of Cherry

(Abbas Kiarostami) – Iran, France

A contemplative and minimalist film that follows a man as he drives through the Iranian countryside, seeking someone to bury him after he takes his own life.

1996 Palme d’or Winner – Secrets & Lies

(Mike Leigh) – United Kingdom

A deeply moving and character-driven drama that reveals the secrets and emotional turmoil within a British family when a young black woman seeks her birth mother.

1995 Palme d’or Winner – Underground

(Emir Kusturica) – France, Germany, Hungary

A surreal and allegorical exploration of the tumultuous history of Yugoslavia, focusing on the lives of two friends who become arms dealers during World War II and the subsequent chaos.

1994 Palme d’or Winner – Pulp Fiction

(Quentin Tarantino) – USA

A groundbreaking and non-linear crime drama that weaves interconnected stories of gangsters, hitmen, and other colorful characters in a darkly comedic and violent world.

1993 Palme d’or Winner – Farewell My Concubine

(Chen Kaige) – China, Hong Kong

An epic and emotionally charged tale of two Peking Opera performers, whose lifelong friendship and complex relationship are tested by the tumultuous events of 20th-century China.

1992 Palme d’or Winner – The Best Intentions

(Bille August) – Sweden, Denmark

A beautifully crafted period drama that depicts the passionate and tumultuous love story between the parents of renowned Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman.

1991 Palme d’or Winner – Barton Fink

(Joel and Ethan Coen) – USA

A darkly humorous exploration of a New York playwright who struggles to find inspiration in the surreal and chaotic world of 1944