Oscar-nominated Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been sentenced to one year in prison and handed a two-year travel ban after a Tehran Revolutionary Court upheld a previous ruling against him.
The court dismissed an appeal filed by Panahi’s legal team, affirming the conviction which accused the director of spreading anti-government propaganda. The verdict was initially issued while the filmmaker was outside Iran promoting his film, It Was Just an Accident.
In addition to the prison sentence and travel restriction, Panahi has also been barred from joining any political or social organisations.
His lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed that the charges stem from the production of what authorities described as an “underground and problematic film against the establishment.” Iranian officials also cited Panahi’s public support for political prisoners, his backing of nationwide protests, and his endorsement of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement as contributing factors to the ruling.
Further allegations included his involvement in sharing protest-related content online and signing a statement in support of a truck drivers’ strike.
According to his legal team, there is still a 20-day window to file a final appeal against the court’s decision.
Panahi’s latest film, It Was Just an Accident, has received widespread international acclaim. The project, which tells the story of a former political prisoner confronting his alleged torturer, won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It also went on to represent France at the Academy Awards, earning nominations for Best International Feature and Best Original Screenplay.
Despite the risks surrounding his return, Panahi voluntarily re-entered Iran on March 30, 2026, following the conclusion of the international awards season.
The case has once again drawn global attention to issues of artistic freedom and political expression in Iran, with many observers closely watching the outcome of any further legal proceedings.
