An Iranian court has sentenced the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Jafar Panahi to one year in prison in absentia on charges of "propaganda activities" against the state. The ruling, confirmed on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, also imposes a two-year travel ban and prohibits him from joining any political or social groups.
Details of the Sentence and Planned Return
Panahi's lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed the details to Agence France-Presse, stating that his client is currently outside Iran. Despite the sentence, reports indicate that Panahi intends to return to Tehran. An unnamed producer close to the director told American journalist Roger Friedman that "Iranians are very loyal" and cited Panahi's family being in the country as a key reason for his planned return.
The sentence comes just as the 65-year-old director was in New York accepting two prestigious Gotham Awards for his latest film, It Was Just an Accident. He won for Best Screenplay and Best Director for the thriller, which is also France's official entry for the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Oscars.
A Defiant Voice from the Awards Stage
While accepting his award for Best Screenplay via a translator, Panahi delivered a poignant message. He dedicated the honour to independent filmmakers in Iran and worldwide who work "in silence, without support, and at times by risking everything they have." He expressed hope that the dedication would serve as a tribute to those "deprived of the right to see and to be seen."
In an interview with the Financial Times published days before the sentence was announced, Panahi addressed the raid on his film set and his unwavering intention to go back to Iran. "I only know how to make films in Iran, so I have to return. And then, whatever happens will happen," he stated.
A History of Confrontation with Iranian Authorities
This is not the first time Jafar Panahi has faced judicial action from the Iranian government. His troubles date back to 2010 when he was initially convicted of "propaganda against the state" following his support for post-election protests. That conviction resulted in a six-year prison sentence, a ban on filmmaking, and an international travel prohibition.
Although released, he was placed under house arrest. In July 2022, he was detained again and sent to prison to serve the remainder of his 2010 sentence, a move that drew widespread international condemnation. He was released in February 2023 after undertaking a hunger strike.
Throughout these restrictions, Panahi continued to create award-winning films clandestinely, including This Is Not a Film (2011), Closed Curtain (2013), Taxi (2015), and No Bears (2022). His latest, It Was Just an Accident, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, is inspired by his own experiences in prison.
Panahi's lawyer, Mr Nili, has confirmed they will appeal the latest court ruling. The director, who resides in France, is scheduled to attend the Marrakech Film Festival this week for a screening of his award-winning film.
