Palme d’Or-winning filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who is now able to move freely out of his home country of Iran, is set to go on “tour” in the United States for the first time.
After 15 years of being subjected to imprisonment, interrogation, and house arrest, Panahi made it to the New York Film Festival earlier this fall after last-minute visa issues were resolved. Now, he’ll embark on a six-city trip across the U.S., as IndieWire exclusively shares, a first in his four-decade career making films (and often, recently, in secret). Stops will include New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle, where Panahi will visit the storied arthouse cinemas in each city — all while crafting a new short film to document his journey. It’s set for release early next year.
You can see the full lineup of stops and their dates below.
Since winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes and emerging as France’s official entry to the 98th Academy Awards, it has collected prizes and tributes around the world — with stops in Africa, Australia, Asia, and North and South America. Panahi has been honored by top festivals and filmmakers, including Claire Denis, Giuseppe Tornatore, and Martin Scorsese.
The story of an unassuming mechanic who has a chance re-encounter with a man he believes might be his former torturer, “It Was Just an Accident” is up for Best International Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay at the Gotham Awards, set for December 1.
Here are the dates and locations for “An Accidental Tour ’25”:
Los Angeles
Laemmle Monica Film Center
Sunday, November 16, after the 1:10 p.m. showtime
Seattle
SIFF uptown
Thursday, November 20, after the 6:45 p.m. show
San Francisco
Smith Rafael
Friday, November 21, after the 7:00 p.m. show
Roxie Theater
Saturday, November 22, after the 6:20 p.m. show
Sunday, November 23, after the 3:15 p.m. show
Chicago
Music Box Theatre
Monday, November 24 – after the 7:00 p.m. show
Boston
Coolidge Corner
Tuesday, November 25 – Q&A after the 7:00 p.m. show, extended intro ahead of the 7:30 p.m. show, including a presentation of the Coolidge Impact Award to director Jafar Panahi
Westchester, NY
Jacob Burns Film Center
Saturday, November 29 – Q&A after 1:00 p.m. show
New York City
Film Forum
Saturday, November 29 – Q&A after 7:50 p.m. show
Francesca Beale, Lincoln Center
Saturday, November 29 – Q&A after 6:15 p.m. show
Sunday, November 30 – Q&A 6:15 p.m. show
