The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) was really hoping to welcome Iranian director Jafar Panahi (It was just an accident) to its 60th edition and 80th anniversary edition in the Czech spa town. But the Oscar nominee’s travel ban and another prison sentence he faces in Iran have dashed that hope.
In early June, an Iranian court upheld a ruling convicting Panahi on charges of “propaganda against the regime,” sentencing him to one year in prison and a two-year travel ban. The winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025 is also prohibited from joining political and social groups and associations.
The Czech festival had Panahi seen as a guest as part of the creative team behind it CuppingIt is a Crystal Globe competition film by Iranian director Nader Sefar (witness), which was produced and edited by Panahi. The film stars Kida Khader Ramadan, Moritz Bleibtreu and Nastassja Kinski, and focuses on 50-year-old Murad, whose “life is shaken to the core when he learns that his younger brother is gay,” according to the film’s synopsis. “Murad wants to support his brother, but their traditional Muslim family is against it. As a result, he finds himself vulnerable to pressure from all sides – from his father, who has close ties to the local imam, and from his brother’s circle of friends as well.”
“We were in touch with Mr. Panahi because we were helping with the launch of his film It was just an accident In Czech cinemas in January, so we did some online interviews “for that,” says KVIFF artistic director Karel Och. THR. “Because of his decisive participation in CuppingWe wanted him to come with the team. “It was a plan until the day we learned that his passport had been confiscated.”
That left Och and the KVIFF team with a mix of emotions. “Obviously we’re very sad,” he says. “We cannot stop admiring this man, not only for his artistic prowess, but also for his human approach and his courage that amazes you. And this is not just Mr. Panahi.”
In fact, KVIFF has screened films by Iranian directors, including Soheil Bayraghi’s fourth film, Piedad (cry), which last year won a Special Jury Prize, also includes a 2023 retrospective of Iranian underground cinema. “We know how Iranian filmmakers who deal with certain elements and themes in their films are aware of the consequences, but they are not afraid,” Och explains. “This is really amazing and impressive.”
Och highlights that in its casting the KVIFF programming team looks for “the art of the film, but also something with a strong political commentary,” explaining: “We probably wouldn’t show a film that’s just a statement, but we’re always very happy and keen to support a good film that has a political tone and very clear political ideas.”
