What begins as defiance often ends as legend. It Was Just an Accident
, the daring new film by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, had its world premiere in the main competition of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2025. Known for his bold criticism of the Islamic Republic and numerous imprisonments, Panahi managed to craft this cinematic masterpiece without any official filming permit from Iranian authorities. But this act of rebellion soon found its reward.
As if scripted by fate’s more theatrical cousin, Panahi’s forbidden fruit won the Palme d’Or, an outcome that left the internet shrieking in delight and NEON, once again, polishing its golden streak. This marks NEON’s sixth Palme d’Or in as many years, a feat so rare it may soon need its own genre. Fans erupted online with digital applause, calling the win everything from revolutionary to divine intervention. The standing ovation stretched from Cannes to TikTok.
NEON has now won the Palme d’Or 6 years in a row — an unprecedented streak:
• Parasite
• Titane
• Triangle of Sadness
• Anatomy of a Fall
• Anora
• It Was Just an Accident pic.twitter.com/RH3TjNFGie— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) May 24, 2025
This Cannes triumph joins an elite club of NEON-backed winners, including Parasite
(2019), Titane
(2021), Triangle of Sadness
(2022), Anatomy
of a Fall
(2023), and Anora
(2024). Ahead of the festival, NEON boldly flaunted its Palme d’Or streak with a Cannes booth display
that radiated pure cinematic swagger. The company did not just walk into Cannes this year; it paraded in, as if daring the jury to add one more trophy to its collection.
With its Palme d’Ors shining like cinematic gold, NEON has the internet losing its collective mind over the jaw-dropping lineup.
The internet is in a triangle of happiness as NEON claims its sixth Palme d’Or
The internet has erupted in a rapturous howl over NEON’s Cannes conquest, applauding the distributor’s taste for films that dare to push every conceivable boundary. Admirers see in these unique, audacious works the very reason for the trophies, proof that courage and originality still turn heads in a world dulled by sameness. In short, NEON’s daring is its divine right to the Palme d’Or.
Neon’s streak is insane
— Romaisa Khan (@Romaisa126) May 24, 2025
— Jeffrey Mahoney (Last Of Us/MI Era) (@JeffreyMahone18) May 24, 2025
NEON’s unmatched Palme d’Or streak proves bold, boundary-pushing cinema still reigns at Cannes.
— श्री मंगरू वल्द श्री मटरू (@mangaruwa) May 24, 2025
Yet, as with any grand spectacle, dissent lingers in the wings. A faction grumbles that NEON’s prizes are less about merit and more about hype, suggesting that perhaps the awards missed their mark. To them, these films are not the crown jewels of cinema but merely shiny baubles in an overzealous showcase. These dissenting opinions remind the industry that awards, though prestigious, remain subjective and open to debate.
A lot of overrated movies there
— Emmet Martin (@loosehead1981) May 25, 2025
Well Anora was terrible let’s start there
— Derek (@DerekXLeach) May 25, 2025
Ultimately, NEON’s achievement signals a shift in the cinematic landscape, highlighting how innovative storytelling resonates deeply with modern audiences. The ongoing conversations about the awards underscore the vibrant and diverse nature of film appreciation today. Regardless of differing views, NEON’s impact on contemporary cinema remains undeniable and influential.
Read More: Kevin Spacey Marks His First Cannes Appearance in Almost a Decade With an Emotional Speech
What do you think of NEON’s latest achievement? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!