Jafar Panahi’s ‘It Was Just An Accident’ Takes Home Best Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards

Jafar Panahi’s Film Triumphs at Asia Pacific Screen Awards

Last night, Jafar Panahi’s acclaimed film, It Was Just an Accident (Un Simple Accident), secured the Best Film award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA). The Iranian director also received the Best Director honor for his work on the political thriller, which is poised to represent France as its entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars.

In addition to Panahi’s accolades, the Jury Grand Prize was awarded to Lost Land (Harà Watan), directed by Akio Fujimoto. This poignant film focuses on the plight of displaced Rohingya children. Other notable winners included Singaporean filmmaker Tan Siyou and producer Fran Borgia, who received the Best Youth Film award for Amoeba, while Kim Bo-sol’s animated feature The Square was recognized as Best Animated Film.

The Best Documentary Film accolade went to Sepideh Farsi for Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, a powerful work that offers insights into life in Gaza. A special mention in the documentary category was awarded to Always, directed by Deming Chen, which reflects on boyhood and memory in rural China. Chie Hayakawa from Japan won Best Screenplay for Renoir, where Yui Suzuki also earned the Best New Performer award. Sean Lau received the Best Performance award for his compelling role in Papa.

The FIAPF Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to film in the Asia Pacific region, was presented to Australian producer Greer Simpkin, celebrating her significant impact on the industry.

Tracey Vieira, Chair of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, highlighted the event’s diversity, noting it showcased “one of the most diverse collections of perspectives” to date. Urmila Venugopalan, President of the Motion Picture Association for Asia Pacific, remarked on the representation of over 70 nations, emphasizing that the ASPAs represent a vibrant celebration of global cinema.

Full Winners List – By Category

• Best Film: It Was Just an Accident
  Iran, France, Luxembourg
  Directed by Jafar Panahi | Produced by Jafar Panahi, Philippe Martin

• Jury Grand Prize: Lost Land (Harà Watan)
  Japan, France, Malaysia, Germany
  Directed by Akio Fujimoto | Produced by Kazutaka Watanabe

• Best Youth Film: Amoeba
  Singapore, Netherlands, France, Spain, Korea
  Directed by Tan Siyou | Produced by Fran Borgia

• Best Animated Film: The Square
  Korea
  Directed by Kim Bo-sol | Produced by Park So-hye, Kim Bo-sol

• Best Documentary Film: Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk
  France, Palestine
  Directed by Sepideh Farsi | Produced by Javad Djavahery

• Special Mention – Documentary: Always
  USA, France, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan
  Directed by Deming Chen | Produced by Hansen Lin

• Best Director: Jafar Panahi — It Was Just an Accident
  Iran, France, Luxembourg

• Best Screenplay: Chie Hayakawa — Renoir
  Japan, France, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar

• Best Cinematography: Batara Goempar — Samsara
  Indonesia

• Best Performance: Sean Lau — Papa
  Hong Kong

• Best New Performer: Yui Suzuki — Renoir
  Japan, France, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar

• Cultural Diversity Award: Black Red Yellow
  Kyrgyzstan
  Directed & Produced by Aktan Arym Kubat

• Young Cinema Award (in partnership with NETPAC): Rohan Parashuram Kanawade — Cactus Pears (Sabar Bonda)
  India, United Kingdom, Canada

• FIAPF Award: Greer Simpkin (Australia)

• 2025 MPA APSA Academy Film Fund Recipients:
  Anocha Suwichakornpong for Fiction, Kareem Abeed for Where is My Father, Yosep Anggi Noen and Gita Fara for The Sea Speaks His Name, Thien An Pham with Jeremy Chua for Heaven in a Wildflower.

• Filmmaker Forum Award (presented by The Post Lounge Group): Prabh ath Gurung – Son of a Honey Hunter