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The 22nd Yerevan Golden Apricot International Film Festival will open with “It Was Just an Accident,” the latest film by renowned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. The film won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May.
One of the iconic figures of Iranian cinema, Jafar Panahi participated in the 21st Golden Apricot in Yerevan last year, marking his first appearance at an international festival after a 15-year ban. He received the Parajanov Thaler Prize in recognition of his contribution to world cinema.
Russian film critic Anton Dolin, who presented his book about Panahi at last year’s Golden Apricot, reflected on their meeting in Yerevan in his 2025 Cannes coverage. He noted that the Golden Apricot was the first festival to extend an invitation to Panahi, marking his return to the international film stage.
Just a year later, Panahi achieved a major triumph at Cannes, and his award-winning film will now open the 22nd Golden Apricot.
For over two decades, the Golden Apricot International Film Festival has stood as the most prominent and internationally recognized film event in the region.