The revered Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s first film since his 2022 imprisonment is a return to his fictional roots—and a continuation of his ceaseless grappling with state repression. Winner of the 2025 Palme d’Or at Cannes, It Was Just An Accident is a riveting and dark thriller that draws from Panahi’s own experience being imprisoned and persecuted for his fearless cinema, following a group of characters who confront difficult questions of moral choice, culpability, and vengeance when they encounter a man they believe is the intelligence officer who tortured them in prison. NYFF is honored to welcome Panahi back in person for the first time since the 2000 festival premiere of The Circle for a conversation with none other than Martin Scorsese.