Medan has partnered with Neon to co-finance the U.S. theatrical release of Jafar Panahi’s critically acclaimed film, It Was Just an Accident. The film is set to premiere in New York on October 15, 2023, followed by a screening in Los Angeles on October 17, 2023, with plans for a national rollout thereafter.
This film, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, also serves as France’s official submission for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming Academy Awards. It Was Just an Accident explores the lives of former political prisoners as they confront their traumatic past and the figures that haunt them, including their former captor.
Negin Salmasi, Chief Content Officer at Medan, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Neon. Jafar Panahi stands as one of cinema’s defining voices — a master whose career has redefined artistic courage and whose vision remains as globally urgent and necessary as ever.”
Critical Acclaim and Awards
This film marks Panahi’s first project since his release from prison in Iran. In addition to winning the prestigious Palme d’Or, It Was Just an Accident received the Sydney Award for Best Film at the Sydney International Film Festival. The filmmaker has been recognized with several accolades, including the Silver Medallion Tribute for Director at the Telluride Film Festival, a Special Tribute Award at TIFF, and the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at the Busan International Film Festival.
Additionally, Panahi is slated to receive the Icon Award at the Middleburg Film Festival and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rome Film Festival.
The film has already garnered attention through recent screenings at festivals such as Beyond Fest and the New York Film Festival, alongside its showing at the London Film Festival.
Medan’s partnership with Neon underscores the growing interest in international cinema and highlights the importance of voices like Panahi’s in today’s cinematic landscape. As audiences anticipate its U.S. release, It Was Just an Accident promises to deliver a powerful narrative that resonates with viewers around the world.
